Yarrow Achillea millefolium 'Kelwayi'
ABOUT
Achillea millefolium 'Kelwayi', commonly known as the Kelway's Yarrow, is an ornamental perennial plant that features a distinctive appearance. It is characterized by its unique foliage and flower clusters. The leaves are finely divided and resemble feathers, giving them a delicate, lacy texture. They are a rich green color and generally have a slightly aromatic scent when crushed. The flowers of the Kelway's Yarrow are what truly set it apart. They form dense, flat-topped clusters called corymbs, which sit atop the plant's sturdy stems. These flower heads are composed of numerous tiny, tightly-packed blooms. The individual flowers are typically yellow, creating a vibrant and conspicuous display that can add a splash of color to any garden setting. Furthermore, the blooms have a tendency to attract butterflies and beneficial insects, making this plant not only beautiful but also useful for promoting biodiversity. The Kelway's Yarrow is celebrated for its endurance and its ability to thrive in a variety of conditions, as well as for its practical uses in cut-flower arrangements and dried floral crafts due to the long-lasting nature of its blooms.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Asteraceae.
Synonyms
Yarrow, Milfoil, Kelway's Yarrow, Nosebleed Plant, Old Man's Pepper, Devil's Nettle, Sanguinary, Soldier's Woundwort, Thousand-Leaf, Thousand-Seal.
Common names
Achillea millefolium.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Yellow
Height
2-3 feet (60-90 cm)
Spread
2-3 feet (60-90 cm)
Plant type
Herb
Hardiness zones
3-8
Native area
Europe
Benefits
General Benefits- Attracts Pollinators: Achillea millefolium 'Kelwayi', commonly known as Yarrow, is known to attract bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects, supporting local biodiversity.
- Drought Resistance: This perennial is highly adaptable to dry conditions, making it suitable for xeriscaping and water-wise gardens.
- Low Maintenance: Yarrow's hardiness and ability to thrive in poor soil reduce the need for frequent upkeep.
- Soil Improvement: Yarrow has deep roots that help in improving soil structure and increasing its nutrient content over time.
- Erosion Control: Its mat-forming habit helps to stabilize soil and prevent erosion on slopes or in areas with loose soil.
- Visual Interest: 'Kelwayi' offers striking yellow flowers that add color and visual appeal to garden landscapes.
- Culinary Use: The leaves of Yarrow can be used in small quantities to flavor certain dishes, providing a bitter, aromatic taste.
- Companion Planting: When planted alongside other species, yarrow can enhance the growth and flavor of nearby plants, especially aromatic herbs.
Medical Properties- Antispasmodic: May help ease spasms in the gastrointestinal tract.
- Anti-inflammatory: Potentially reduces inflammation in various tissues.
- Hemostatic: Can assist in stopping bleeding by promoting clotting.
- Antiseptic: Contains properties that may reduce or prevent infection by inhibiting the growth of infectious agents.
- Carminative: Might help in relieving flatulence.
- Astringent: Can contract skin cells and other body tissues.
- Diaphoretic: Induces perspiration and could help reduce fever.
- Digestive: May be used to aid digestion.
- Vulnerary: Could be helpful in healing wounds and cuts.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Achillea millefolium 'Kelwayi', commonly known as yarrow, can be used as a natural dye for fabrics, offering a range of colors from yellow to green depending on the mordant used.
- It is often included in companion planting schemes to enhance the growth of nearby plants and can attract beneficial insects such as ladybugs to the garden.
- Yarrow can be used in permaculture designs as a functional ground cover to minimize weed growth and maintain soil moisture.
- The plant's tough stems can be left on the garden beds in winter to provide natural frost protection for the soil.
- Yarrow can be used as an indicator plant; it thrives in soils that are high in nutrients, particularly phosphorus, revealing soil fertility levels.
- Its dried flowers and leaves can be added to compost piles to accelerate the decomposition process due to their high nitrogen content.
- Yarrow can be planted along borders or pathways as it can survive moderate foot traffic and can help define spaces in the garden.
- The flowers are sometimes used for decorative purposes in crafts, such as pressed flower art, due to their intricate structure and aesthetic appeal.
- Fresh yarrow leaves can be rubbed onto the skin as a traditional natural insect repellent, although the effectiveness may vary.
- The plant is sometimes used in floral arrangements, both fresh and dried, for its feathery foliage and long-lasting blooms.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiYarrow is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityYarrow is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Healing: Achillea millefolium, commonly known as Yarrow, is often associated with healing due to its extensive use in herbal medicine to treat wounds and various ailments.
- Protection: Yarrow is believed to offer protection and was historically used to ward off negative energies and spirits.
- Courage: Named after the Greek hero Achilles, who used yarrow to treat his soldiers' wounds, the plant symbolizes bravery and heroism.
- Love: In some traditions, Yarrow is used in love spells and is believed to attract love or maintain a relationship.
- Divination: Yarrow has been used in various forms of divination to reveal answers to questions, particularly in matters of love.
- Endurance: The plant's ability to thrive in challenging conditions symbolizes endurance and perseverance.
WaterCommon Yarrow should be watered deeply and infrequently to encourage a strong root system. Ideally, water when the top inch of soil feels dry, typically about once a week depending on weather conditions. During hot or windy weather, you might need to water twice a week. Use about one to one and a half gallons of water per plant each time you water, ensuring you moisten the soil evenly around the plant.
LightCommon Yarrow thrives in full sunlight to part shade. The best spot for this plant would be an area that receives at least 6 hours of direct sunlight each day. Avoid planting it in deep shade as it may not flower well and can become leggy.
TemperatureCommon Yarrow prefers temperate climates and can endure a wide range of temperatures. It can survive minimum temperatures down to around -30°F and is hardy up to 90°F. The ideal growing conditions for Common Yarrow are between 65°F and 75°F.
PruningPruning Common Yarrow helps maintain a tidy appearance and encourages more blooms. Cut back the plant by about one-third to one-half after the first flush of flowers to promote a second bloom. Prune again in late fall or early winter to shape the plant and remove any dead growth.
CleaningAs needed
SoilCommon Yarrow 'Kelwayi' thrives best in well-draining, loamy soil with an addition of compost. A pH range of 6.0 to 7.0 is ideal for its growth. The best soil mix can be created using two parts garden soil, one part compost or aged manure, and one part sand or perlite for improved drainage.
RepottingCommon Yarrow 'Kelwayi' is a hardy perennial that does not typically require frequent repotting. It may be divided and repotted every 2-3 years to refresh the soil and to manage its spread in the garden.
Humidity & MistingCommon Yarrow 'Kelwayi' prefers a dry to average humidity environment and is quite drought tolerant. It does not require high humidity levels and is suitable for most temperate climates without the need for specific humidity adjustments.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Place in bright light, ensure good air flow, water sparingly.
Outdoor
Full sun, well-draining soil, moderate watering, space 1-2 feet.
Hardiness zone
3-9 USDA
Life cycleCommon yarrow 'Kelwayi' typically begins as a seed that germinates in late winter to early spring. The germination yields a small rosette of feathery leaves, which grows throughout the spring and develops a deep, extensive root system. During late spring to early summer, the plant sends up tall, erect stems that bear clusters of tiny, ivory to creamy-yellow flowers, attracting a host of pollinators. After flowering, seeds are produced and dispersed by wind or animals in late summer to early fall. The plant then enters a period of dormancy during the winter months, where above-ground growth dies back and the plant relies on its root system to survive the cold. In the following spring, the plant resumes growth from the rootstock and the cycle begins anew.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring-Early Summer
Achillea millefolium 'Kelwayi', commonly known as Yarrow 'Kelwayi', is typically propagated through division, which is the most popular method. The best time to divide the plant is in early spring or fall, when the weather is cooler, and the plant is not in active growth. To propagate by division, carefully dig up an established yarrow plant and gently separate the root clump into smaller sections, each with several shoots and a healthy portion of roots. Replant the new divisions at the same depth they were previously growing, spacing them about 18 inches (approximately 45 centimeters) apart to allow for growth. Ensure that the soil is well-drained and water the new divisions thoroughly after planting. Division helps rejuvenate older clumps and provides an easy and effective method to increase the number of yarrow plants in your garden.
