Red Yarrow (Achillea millefolium ‘Rouge’) 🌿✨

Description

Yarrow is an ornamental and medicinal perennial belonging to the Asteraceae family. This cultivar stands out for its deep velvet-red flowers that do not fade in the sun and continuously bloom throughout the summer. Its finely cut, feathery, dark green foliage is deciduous to semi-evergreen and releases a pleasant fragrance when crushed.

This stoloniferous, hardy, and low-maintenance perennial is perfect for covering slopes, rock gardens, and wild garden spaces. It thrives in dry, poor soils, forming a natural ground cover that is highly resistant to drought and harsh conditions.

Plant Characteristics

• Latin Name: Achillea millefolium
• Family: Asteraceae
• Type: Perennial, ground cover, medicinal plant
• Growth Habit: Compact, upright clump
• Foliage: Finely cut, feathery, aromatic
• Hardiness: Down to -20.5°C (-5°F)
• Growth Rate: Fast
• Special Features: Nectar-rich, drought-resistant

Size and Growing Conditions

• Mature Height: 60 cm (24 in)
• Mature Spread: 60 cm (24 in) or more
• Sun Exposure: Full sun
• Soil: Dry to moderately moist, well-drained
• Soil pH: Neutral to slightly alkaline
• Soil Moisture: Drought-tolerant

Flowering and Uses

🌺 Flowering Period: July to October
🌺 Inflorescence: Flat-topped corymbs, up to 10 cm (4 in) in diameter
🌺 Flower Color: Intense, velvety red
🌺 Uses: Flower beds, borders, slopes, ground cover, cut flowers, dried bouquets
🌺 Wildlife Benefits: Nectar-rich, attracts bees and butterflies

Care and Propagation

🌿 Watering:

• Minimal; well adapted to dry conditions.
• Water only after planting or division.

🌿 Pruning:

• Cut back after flowering to encourage a second bloom.
• Leave stems in winter to shelter wildlife and clean up in spring.

🌿 Propagation:

• Division: Every 2-3 years in spring or fall.
• Cuttings: In June, using basal stem cuttings.
• Seeds: Possible, but may not grow true to the parent plant.

Garden Companions

🌾 Pairs beautifully with ornamental grasses (Stipa tenuifolia, Festuca glauca) for a natural effect.
🌾 Perfect for sunny borders alongside lavender, echinacea, and sedums.
🌾 Ideal for planting at the base of shrub roses to cover bare stems and reduce water evaporation.

Why Choose ‘Rouge’ Yarrow?

✅ Intense and long-lasting blooms that do not fade in the sun.
✅ Hardy and low-maintenance, thrives in poor, dry soils.
✅ Nectar-rich, attracts pollinators and promotes biodiversity.
✅ Medicinal uses, a plant with multiple health benefits.
✅ Easy to grow, perfect for a low-maintenance garden.

💡 A hardy and elegant perennial, perfect for natural and wild gardens! 🌿✨