Ornamental Yarrow
Parker's Variety Yarrow is a frost-hardy perennial with feathery gray-green foliage and cheerful clusters of tiny yellow flowers that bloom for months. This heirloom cultivar of Achillea filipendulina thrives in zones 3 through 9, reaching maturity in 120 days and producing some of the longest-lasting cut flowers you can grow. It demands little from gardeners: full sun, low water, and well-draining soil are all it needs to flourish almost anywhere. This is a plant that rewards the minimal effort with abundant beauty.
18-24 inches apart
Full Sun
Low
3-9
?in H x ?in W
Perennial
Low
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The real draw here is the combination of form and longevity. Feathery gray-green foliage stays ornamental even before the flowers arrive, and once those tiny golden blooms open in dense, flat-topped clusters, they persist far longer than most cut flowers. Parker's Variety yarrow dries beautifully too, holding its color and structure for months in arrangements. For a gardener who wants reliable, season-spanning color with virtually no fussing required, this heirloom delivers exactly that.
This yarrow is grown primarily as an ornamental cut flower and dried flower. The long-lasting flower clusters are prized by gardeners and florists for fresh arrangements that can last weeks in water, and the material dries exceptionally well for permanent displays. The feathery foliage also has ornamental value in the garden, contributing texture and structure to borders even when not in bloom.
Start seeds indoors in seed trays at temperatures between 60 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Seeds will sprout in 14 to 21 days. Sow seeds on the surface (do not bury them) about 8 to 10 weeks before your last spring frost.
Transplant seedlings outdoors after the last frost date has passed, spacing plants 24 inches apart. Harden off seedlings by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions over 7 to 10 days before planting in the garden.
Direct sow seeds on the soil surface after the last spring frost, pressing them lightly into contact with the soil. Keep the area consistently moist until germination occurs in 14 to 21 days.
Harvest flower clusters for fresh arrangements once the tiny individual flowers have opened and the cluster reaches full size, typically 120 days after planting. Cut stems in the early morning when stems are most turgid. For drying, cut clusters just as they reach full maturity, tie them in small bundles, and hang upside down in a warm, dry, well-ventilated space.
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