Ornamental Yarrow
Summer Pastels Yarrow is a long-lasting perennial herb that delivers months of cutting pleasure from a single, compact plant. Growing just 28-30 inches tall with finely divided foliage, this open-pollinated cultivar thrives in zones 2-9 and reaches harvest readiness in 120-130 days. Its pastel-hued flowers are exceptional for fresh arrangements and dry beautifully for long-term storage, making it equally at home in a cutting garden or dried flower display. Low water needs and adaptability to a wide soil pH range (5.5-7.5) mean it slots easily into low-maintenance beds.
18-24 inches apart
—
Low
2-9
30in H x ?in W
Perennial
Low
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The pastel color palette sets this variety apart in the yarrow world, offering softer tones than traditional bright reds and yellows. It's compact enough to fit containers or smaller gardens, yet prolific enough to supply continuous harvests for arrangements. The flowers last an impressive length of time both on the plant and in the vase, and they dry with remarkable color retention when harvested at peak pollen.
Summer Pastels Yarrow excels as a fresh cut flower, bringing delicate pastel tones to bouquets and arrangements. It's equally valued dried, where it holds color beautifully and lasts for months in vases without water. As a culinary herb, yarrow leaves can be infused for tea or used fresh to add complexity to herbal blends.
Start seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before your transplant date in 72-cell flats or similar seedling containers. Sow seeds on the soil surface or cover very lightly with vermiculite to retain moisture and hold seeds in place. Light is required for germination, so provide full light once seeds are sown. Use bottom watering or gentle misting to keep the soil moist without covering the seeds. Maintain temperatures between 55-65°F (13-18°C) for 3-5 weeks during seedling development. Harden off seedlings gradually before transplanting outdoors.
Transplant hardened-off seedlings outdoors into garden beds or containers. Space plants 12 inches apart. Yarrow is frost-hardy and can tolerate cool spring temperatures, so transplant after your last spring frost date or as soon as the soil is workable.
Direct sow seeds in late spring, early summer, or fall. Sow on the soil surface in full light, as yarrow seeds need light to germinate. Keep soil consistently moist until seedlings are established.
Harvest yarrow for fresh or dried arrangements when pollen becomes visible on the flowers. Cut stems in the morning after dew has dried. For drying, hang stems in bundles in a warm, dry location away from direct sunlight until completely dry.
Deadhead spent flower heads to encourage continuous blooming and extend the harvest season. No other pruning is needed for this compact cultivar.
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