Yarrow 'Paprika' is a rhizomatous perennial herb from the Asteraceae family that brings rust-red flowers and fern-like aromatic foliage to gardens across zones 3 through 8. This spreading cultivar grows 18 to 24 inches tall and wide, blooming from June through September with flowers prized for both fresh cutting and drying. Descended from common yarrow (Achillea millefolium), a species introduced to America during colonial times and now naturalized throughout the continent, 'Paprika' carries the same tough, drought-tolerant disposition as its ancestors while offering ornamental color that distinguishes it in the garden.
Full Sun
Moderate
3-8
24in H x 24in W
—
Moderate
Hover over chart points for details
Rust-red flowers densely packed in flat-topped clusters appear reliably from summer into fall, making this variety a continuous source of color when many perennials fade. The deeply dissected, fern-like foliage is aromatic when brushed, releasing an herbal fragrance that lingers on your hands. Its compact 18 to 24-inch spread works well in naturalized plantings, and the flowers dry beautifully for arrangements that hold their color for months. This yarrow resists deer browsing and thrives in lean, well-drained soils where fussier plants struggle, asking only for full sun and good drainage to flourish.
Yarrow 'Paprika' shines as a cut flower, with its rust-red blooms lasting well in arrangements and holding their color when fresh. The flowers dry exceptionally well for dried arrangements, wreaths, and long-lasting décor. The plant is edible and carries the herbal uses of common yarrow, though this variety's primary garden role is ornamental; it naturalizes beautifully in meadows and informal plantings where its spreading habit and long bloom season create continuous color without intensive care.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
For cut flowers, harvest stems when the flat-topped flower clusters are fully open and densely packed with tiny florets; the flowers hold well in water and last for an extended period. For dried flowers, cut stems when blooms are in full color but before they begin to fade; hang upside down in a warm, dry location out of direct sunlight, which preserves the rust-red hue. Flowers maintain their color and form exceptionally well when dried, making them ideal for long-term arrangements.
Cut stems back in late spring before flowering to reduce sprawl and promote a more compact, upright form, particularly important in hot, humid climates where plants tend to flop. This early-season pruning prevents the tangled mass of stems and foliage that can develop by mid to late summer if the plant is left unpruned. After flowering concludes, cut plants back to their basal leaves to tidy the appearance and encourage potential fall rebloom. Deadhead spent flower heads back to lateral buds during the growing season to promote additional bloom throughout the summer and into early fall.
Enter your ZIP code to see a personalized growing calendar for this plant.
“Yarrow's story reaches back to ancient Greece and its role in the legend of Achilles, the legendary hero who carried the plant into battle to stop bleeding and heal his soldiers' wounds. The genus Achillea carries his name as a testament to this medicinal legacy. Common yarrow itself, the parent species of 'Paprika', traveled from Europe and Asia to colonial America, where it escaped cultivation and naturalized so thoroughly along roadsides, fields, and waste areas that many now consider it an aggressive weed. The 'Paprika' cultivar was selected from this hardy lineage, refining the wild plant's vigor into a garden-worthy form while preserving the toughness that allowed yarrow to colonize disturbed ground across the continent.”