Plant Specifications
Achillea millefolium ‘Paprika’. Perennial. Sun. Height: 16” Width: 10 – 14”
Yarrow is a flowering plant native to Europe, it has naturalized throughout temperate North America. In New Mexico and southern Colorado, it is called plumajillo, or “little feather”, for the shape of the leaves. Several tall stems rise from a rhizome root (fibrous underground horizontal rootstock) with lance-shaped and finely divided silver leaves evenly distributed up the stem. Paprika Yarrow blooms with deep rust-color, flat-domed shaped flower heads.
In the Garden
Yarrow is a drought tolerant species and often found in the grasslands and open forests throughout the United States. The species name, millefolium ‘of a thousand leaves’ – describes the fine, feathery foliage which resembles a fern. Yarrow can endure dry, impoverished soil and survive with little maintenance. It thrives and blooms from Spring to Fall. Notorious for its reputation as invasive, the Texas heat apparently keeps that tendency in check. Hardy throughout the winter but guard against allowing it to get too dry or too wet. Trim back dead flower blooms to encourage new growth. Will bloom from Spring throughout Fall.
Plant Uses
Great for use in teas, Yarrow has seen historical use as a medicine, often because of its astringent effects. Concoctions have been used to treat inflammations, such as hemorrhoids, and headaches. Confusingly, it has been said to both stop bleeding and promote it. (Depending on the form it is administered it can do both, which is why when dabbling in using herbs for medicine it is proper to contact a herbalist or other expert.