Yarrow Achillea 'Belle Epoque'
ABOUT
Achillea 'Belle Epoque', commonly known as yarrow, features a striking appearance with an attractive, fern-like foliage that forms a dense and textural backdrop to its unique flowers. The leaves are typically green with a slightly feathery or lacy quality, which gives the plant a soft, delicate look. Adding to its charm, the yarrow blooms in clusters of tiny, tightly-packed flowers that form flattish, umbrella-like shapes known as umbels. These flowers are particularly noted for their warm, coppery-pink tones that can fade to a softer, creamier color as they age. The blooms not only add a splash of subtle color to the garden but are also favored for their extended flowering period, which offers visual interest throughout the growing season. The stems rise above the foliage carrying these flower clusters, which as a whole, can create a lovely cottage garden aesthetic. With its combination of feathery foliage and distinctive blooms, Achillea 'Belle Epoque' presents itself as a plant that exudes both rustic charm and elegance.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Asteraceae
Synonyms
Belle Epoque Yarrow, Belle Epoque Milfoil
Common names
Achillea 'Belle Epoque'.
ToxicityTo humans
Yarrow (Achillea 'Belle Epoque') is not considered highly toxic to humans. However, like many plants, if ingested in large quantities it can be potentially harmful. Some individuals who are sensitive to yarrow might experience dermatitis or allergic reactions upon contact with the plant. If ingested, yarrow may cause mild gastrointestinal upset. It is always advisable to keep an eye on children and pets around plants and to teach children not to eat plant material.
To pets
Yarrow (Achillea 'Belle Epoque') is not considered highly toxic to pets, but it can cause some gastrointestinal upset such as vomiting or diarrhea if ingested in significant quantities. As with humans, some animals might also have allergic reactions. It's best to prevent your pets from consuming this plant to avoid any possible negative effects.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Mixed
Height
2 feet (0.61 meters)
Spread
2 feet (0.61 meters)
Plant type
Herb
Hardiness zones
3-8
Native area
Europe
Benefits
General Benefits- Attracts Pollinators: Achillea 'Belle Epoque', commonly known as Yarrow, attracts beneficial insects such as bees and butterflies, which are important for pollination.
- Drought Tolerance: Yarrow is well adapted to dry conditions and requires minimal watering once established, making it an ideal choice for water-wise gardens.
- Low Maintenance: Yarrow is known for being a low-maintenance plant that doesn't require regular fertilization or pruning.
- Long Blooming Period: Yarrow produces flowers over a lengthy season, usually from early summer to fall, offering prolonged visual interest in the garden.
- Deer Resistant: Yarrow is typically not preferred by deer, making it a good option for gardens in areas where deer browsing is a concern.
- Tolerates Poor Soil: Yarrow can thrive in less fertile soils where other plants might struggle, making it versatile for different garden conditions.
- Erosion Control: With its dense growth habit and extensive root system, yarrow can help stabilize soil and prevent erosion.
Medical Properties- Achillea 'Belle Epoque' is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Achillea 'Belle Epoque', also known as yarrow, can be used in dyeing fabrics, where its flowers, depending on preparation, can produce colors ranging from yellow to green.
- Yarrow is often included in compost as a 'compost activator' to help speed up the breakdown of organic matter due to its high nitrogen content.
- The dried flowers and stems of yarrow can be incorporated into potpourri mixes for a subtly aromatic fragrance.
- Yarrow can be used in biodynamic farming practices as an ingredient in preparation 502, which aims to harness its purported beneficial properties in composting processes.
- It is common to use yarrow in permaculture gardens to attract beneficial insects, such as ladybugs and predatory wasps, which help control pest populations.
- Yarrow can be planted as a living mulch under fruit trees to suppress weeds, prevent soil erosion, and retain soil moisture.
- The plants can be used in naturalistic or wildlife garden designs where their ability to attract pollinators, like bees and butterflies, enhances biodiversity.
- Due to its robustness and ease of growth, yarrow can be used for erosion control in areas prone to soil degradation.
- Its flowers are sometimes used in floral arrangements, both fresh and dried, to add texture and variety.
- In landscape design, yarrow can be used to create low-maintenance, drought-resistant gardens or ‘xeriscapes’ due to its tolerance of poor, dry soils.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiYarrow is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityYarrow is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Courage and War: The plant is often associated with the Greek hero Achilles, after whom the genus Achillea is named. In mythology, Achilles used yarrow (Achillea) to treat his soldiers' wounds, thus symbolizing bravery and healing in battle.
- Protection: Yarrow is thought to ward off negative energies and is traditionally used in folk practices for protection.
- Healing: Due to its long history as a medicinal herb, yarrow symbolizes physical and emotional healing.
- Divination: In some cultures, yarrow sticks are used for I Ching divination, making the plant emblematic of wisdom and guidance.
- Love: There is a folklore belief that yarrow can be used in love spells or to attract love, hence it can symbolize the search for love and affection.
WaterYarrow, or Achillea 'Belle Epoque', prefers well-drained soil and does not require frequent watering. Its watering needs are relatively low; it should only be watered once the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch. This may equate to approximately 1 inch of water every week during hot, dry periods. When watering, it's best to do so at the base of the plant, avoiding wetting the foliage, which can lead to fungal diseases. Make sure you provide deep watering to encourage a strong root system, rather than frequent, shallow waterings.
LightYarrow, or Achillea 'Belle Epoque', thrives in full sun conditions. It requires at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily to perform well. The ideal spot for planting yarrow is in an area where it can receive unfiltered sunlight throughout the day, as this will promote the healthiest growth and most abundant blooms.
TemperatureYarrow, or Achillea 'Belle Epoque', is a hardy plant that can tolerate temperatures ranging from the cold of USDA hardiness zone 3, roughly -40 degrees Fahrenheit, to the heat of zone 8, which can reach 90 degrees Fahrenheit. The ideal growing temperature for yarrow is between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. While it is frost-resistant, its growth can be affected by prolonged exposure to temperatures outside this range.
PruningYarrow, or Achillea 'Belle Epoque', should be pruned to maintain plant vigor, to encourage bushier growth, and to extend its blooming period. Deadheading, or the removal of spent blooms, should be done regularly during the blooming season to promote more flowers. Cutting the plant back by half after the initial bloom can also stimulate a second bloom. Pruning is best performed in late winter or early spring before new growth begins.
CleaningAs needed
SoilYarrow 'Belle Epoque' thrives in well-draining soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH of 5.5 to 7.0. A mix of garden soil, compost, and sand or perlite to enhance drainage would be ideal. It's important to avoid soil that retains excessive moisture, as yarrow prefers drier conditions.
RepottingYarrow 'Belle Epoque' is typically planted in the ground and does not require frequent repotting when grown outdoors. However, if grown in a container, repot every 2-3 years to refresh the soil and provide room for growth.
Humidity & MistingYarrow 'Belle Epoque' tolerates a wide range of humidity levels but prefers drier conditions. It is well-suited to outdoor environments where the humidity naturally fluctuates.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Ensure full sun, well-draining soil, and infrequent water.
Outdoor
Plant in full sun, well-draining soil, and space adequately.
Hardiness zone
3-9 USDA
Life cycleThe common name for Achillea 'Belle Epoque' is Yarrow 'Belle Epoque'. The life cycle begins with the germination of seeds in late winter to early spring, where seeds require light to germinate, so they are often sown on the surface of the soil. Seedlings emerge and grow into young plants, producing a basal rosette of fern-like leaves. As the yarrow matures, it develops a strong root system and sends up tall, erect stems that will bear clusters of flowers, typically in the summer months. After blooming, which attracts various pollinators, seeds are produced and dispersed, completing the reproductive cycle. Eventually, the plant may go dormant in the fall or winter, with the foliage dying back, but the roots remain alive to restart the cycle in the following spring.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring-Early Summer
The Achillea 'Belle Epoque', commonly known as Yarrow, is generally propagated by division or by rooting stem cuttings. The most popular method for propagation is division, which is best carried out in the spring or fall. To propagate by division, carefully dig up the established Yarrow plant, ensuring that you have a good clump that includes roots and shoots. Gently separate the clump into smaller sections, making sure that each division has a portion of the root system and several shoots. You can then replant these divisions immediately, spacing them about 18 inches (approximately 46 centimeters) apart to allow for growth. This allows for a quick and effective means of expanding your garden with new Yarrow plants.
