[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ custom_padding_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”4. 16″ custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”” global_module=”10170″ saved_tabs=”all” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4. 16″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin_tablet=”-100px||-25px||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”-125px||-50px||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|tablet” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4. 16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_ src=”https://freckledcalifornian. com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Freckled-californian-Logo-head-line-posts. jpg” title_text=”Freckled californian Logo head line posts” url=”https://freckledcalifornian. com/” show_bottom_space=”off” align=”center” _builder_version=”4. 16″ _module_preset=”default” max_width_tablet=”” max_width_phone=”400px” max_width_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_margin=”18px||18px||true|false” custom_padding=”53px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4. 16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_signup mailchimp_list=”Freckled Ca|e0424cc88d” first_name_fullwidth=”off” use_custom_fields=”on” title=”Join our organic gardening community!” description=”.
” first_name_fullwidth_tablet=”off” first_name_fullwidth_phone=”off” first_name_fullwidth_last_edited=”on|desktop” last_name_fullwidth_tablet=”” last_name_fullwidth_phone=”off” last_name_fullwidth_last_edited=”on|phone” disabled_on=”on|on|off” _builder_version=”4. 22. 1″ form_field_custom_margin=”-11px||0px||false|false” form_field_custom_margin_tablet=”5px||||false|false” form_field_custom_margin_phone=”||0px||false|false” form_field_custom_margin_last_edited=”on|desktop” form_field_custom_padding=”4px||4px||true|false” form_field_custom_padding_tablet=”” form_field_custom_padding_phone=”||4px||false|false” form_field_custom_padding_last_edited=”on|desktop” header_level=”h3″ header_text_color=”#ffffff” header_font_size=”20px” body_text_color=”#000000″ body_font_size=”13. 65px” form_field_font=”Playfair Display||||||||” form_field_font_size=”14px” background_color=”rgba(92,146,101,0. 69)” custom_button=”on” button_text_size=”15px” button_text_color=”#ffffff” button_bg_color=”rgba(36,39,48,0. 35)%E2%80%9D%20button_use_icon=%E2%80%9Doff%E2%80%9D%20background_layout=%E2%80%9Dlight%E2%80%9D%20custom_margin=%E2%80%9D||||false%E2%80%9D%20custom_margin_tablet=%E2%80%9D-30px||||false|true%E2%80%9D%20custom_margin_phone=%E2%80%9D-10px||||false|false%E2%80%9D%20custom_margin_last_edited=%E2%80%9Don|phone%E2%80%9D%20custom_padding=%E2%80%9D10px||||false|false%E2%80%9D%20custom_padding_tablet=%E2%80%9D20px|20px|12px|20px|false|true%E2%80%9D%20custom_padding_phone=%E2%80%9D||20px||false|false%E2%80%9D%20custom_padding_last_edited=%E2%80%9Don|desktop%E2%80%9D%20saved_tabs=%E2%80%9Dall%E2%80%9D%20global_colors_info=%E2%80%9D{}%E2%80%9D][et_pb_signup_custom_field%20field_id=%E2%80%9D6%E2%80%B3%20field_title=%E2%80%9DAre%20you%20a%20SoCal%20Gardener?%E2%80%9D%20field_type=%E2%80%9Dradio%E2%80%9D%20radio_options=%E2%80%9D%91{%22checked%22:0,%22value%22:%22Yes%22,%22id%22:0},{%22checked%22:0,%22value%22:%22No%22,%22id%22:1}%93%E2%80%B3%20_builder_version=%E2%80%9D4 22. 1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” predefined_field=”6″][/et_pb_signup_custom_field][/et_pb_signup][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ specialty=”on” _builder_version=”4. 16″ custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”0px||||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”0px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”3_4″ specialty_columns=”3″ _builder_version=”4. 16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_row_inner _builder_version=”4. 16″ custom_margin_tablet=”-80px||||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”-80px||-50px||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column_inner saved_specialty_column_type=”3_4″ _builder_version=”4. 16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_ src=”https://freckledcalifornian. com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/mixed-bouquet-of-freshly-cut-yarrow-flowers-scaled. jpg” _builder_version=”4. 16″ custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”||12px||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_][et_pb_post_title date=”off” categories=”off” comments=”off” featured_=”off” _builder_version=”4. 16″ title_text_align=”center” meta_font=”Homemade Apple||||||” meta_text_align=”center” custom_margin=”||-40px||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”||15px||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_post_title][et_pb_signup mailchimp_list=”Freckled Ca|e0424cc88d” first_name_fullwidth=”off” last_name_fullwidth=”off” use_custom_fields=”on” title=”Join our organic gardening community!” description=”
” first_name_fullwidth_tablet=”off” first_name_fullwidth_phone=”off” first_name_fullwidth_last_edited=”on|desktop” last_name_fullwidth_tablet=”” last_name_fullwidth_phone=”off” last_name_fullwidth_last_edited=”on|phone” disabled_on=”off|off|on” _builder_version=”4. 22. 1″ form_field_custom_margin=”-11px||0px||false|false” form_field_custom_margin_tablet=”5px||||false|false” form_field_custom_margin_phone=”||0px||false|false” form_field_custom_margin_last_edited=”on|desktop” form_field_custom_padding=”4px||4px||true|false” form_field_custom_padding_tablet=”” form_field_custom_padding_phone=”||4px||false|false” form_field_custom_padding_last_edited=”on|desktop” header_level=”h3″ header_text_color=”#ffffff” header_font_size=”20px” body_text_color=”#000000″ body_font_size=”13. 65px” form_field_font=”Playfair Display||||||||” form_field_font_size=”14px” background_color=”rgba(92,146,101,0. 69)” custom_button=”on” button_text_size=”15px” button_text_color=”#ffffff” button_bg_color=”rgba(36,39,48,0. 35)” button_use_icon=”off” background_layout=”light” custom_margin=”||||false” custom_margin_tablet=”-30px||||false|true” custom_margin_phone=”-10px||||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”10px||||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”20px|20px|12px|20px|false|true” custom_padding_phone=”||20px||false|false” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|desktop” global_module=”10180″ saved_tabs=”all” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_signup][/et_pb_column_inner][/et_pb_row_inner][et_pb_row_inner _builder_version=”4. 16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column_inner saved_specialty_column_type=”3_4″ _builder_version=”4. 16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4. 22. 1″ custom_margin=”||10px|||” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″].
My favorite flowers to grow are flowers that serve many purposes in a garden. As a drought-tolerant, pollinator-friendly cut flower, yarrow definitely meets that criteria. I love growing yarrow in my garden for many reasons. Today I’m going to talk about those reasons and give you some tips on how to do the same.
Yarrow gets its scientific name, achillea millefolium, from the root words “milli” (thousand) and “folium” (foliage/leaves). If you look very closely, yarrow leaves almost look like feathers. They are made up of thousands of very small leaves. Before you start to grow yarrow, here are some of its great qualities to help you decide if it would be a good fit for your garden:
With its delicate, fern-like foliage and colorful flat-topped blooms, yarrow is a delightful old-fashioned perennial that makes an excellent addition to any garden. As a hardy, drought-tolerant plant that attracts pollinators, yarrow offers versatility combined with minimal maintenance. But did you know yarrow is also an exceptional cut flower? Its long-lasting cut stems and continual reblooming habit make yarrow a prime candidate for the cutting garden.
What Does Cut and Come Again Mean?
When a flower is described as “cut and come again” it means that the plant will continue blooming after flowers are cut for bouquets and arrangements. These plants produce a steady supply of blooms over an extended period rather than flowering just once. As long as spent stems are promptly removed, new flower buds will continually form to replace them.
Yarrow is an ideal cut and come again flower After cutting yarrow stems for bouquets, new growth rapidly emerges from the base of the plant With proper harvesting methods, yarrow will bloom repeatedly from early summer until fall.
How to Harvest Yarrow for Cut Flowers
Follow these simple tips to enjoy fresh yarrow bouquets from your garden all season long:
-
Time it right. Cut yarrow stems when blooms are fully open but still bright and fresh.
-
Cut long stems. Use clean, sharp pruners to cut stems near the base of the plant. Aim for 8-12 inches minimum length.
-
Cut in the morning. Harvest stems early in the day before heat opens flowers fully. This extends vase life.
-
Remove foliage. Strip off any leaves on the lower half of each stem. Leaves left underwater will decay.
-
Use a sharp blade. A clean cut encourages water uptake and prevents bacteria from entering.
-
Make an angled cut. Cutting stems on an angle increases the surface area for water absorption.
-
Condition overnight. Place freshly cut stems in warm water out of direct sun. Let them fully hydrate before arranging.
-
Change the water daily. Replacing vase water keeps stems hydrated and prevents bacterial growth.
-
Deadhead promptly. After cutting, remove any spent blooms left on the plants to encourage re-blooming.
Caring for Yarrow After Cutting
With proper care, yarrow will continue providing an abundance of cut flowers after harvesting. Here are some useful tips:
-
Water well after cutting. To fuel rapid regrowth, be sure to water thoroughly near the base of plants after cutting stems.
-
Apply organic fertilizer. Use a balanced liquid fertilizer or compost to nourish plants and stimulate new blooms.
-
Deadhead routinely. Continually remove faded blooms to direct energy towards new flower production.
-
Cut back spent plants. Shear plants back to 6 inches after flowering slows in early fall to encourage fresh growth.
-
Weed and thin as needed. Remove competitive weeds and thin congested plants to improve air circulation and growth.
-
Divide overcrowded clumps. Rejuvenate old plants by digging up and dividing root masses every 2-3 years.
Maximizing Yarrow’s Cut Flower Potential
With routine deadheading and proper post-harvest care, yarrow’s long bloom period can be extended even further. The key is promoting consistent new growth and preventing plants from going to seed. By continuously cutting fresh stems, you can enjoy yarrow’s delicate flowers both in the garden and in indoor arrangements all season long. The more you cut, the more they come!
Yarrow is extremely low maintenance
Another reason to grow yarrow is how low-maintenance it is in the garden. Once established, yarrow needs very little supplemental water. Because it doesn’t rain enough where I live, I water some types of yarrow that I grow for cut flowers every once in a while. On the other hand, I do not water my California native yarrow. Overall, just make sure you don’t keep the soil wet all the time, and it’s better to have dry soil than wet soil.
Deadhead to keep yarrow blooming and prevent seeds everywhere. You can cut yarrow flowers to use in bouquets or arrangements, but if you leave them in the garden, make sure to remove the dead flowers as soon as they appear. This will encourage more flowers that season and keep the yarrow from spreading seeds everywhere.
[/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.22.1″ max_width=”51%” module_alignment=”center” custom_padding=”|||6px|false|false” border_width_left=”6px” border_color_left=”#e09900″ global_colors_info=”{}”]
Deadheading refers to the practice of removing expired or spent flower heads. This is often done to roses, day lilies, marigolds, and other flowering plants to help them grow more flowers.
Yarrow can also be grown as an everlasting or dried flower. Simply cut bunches of the flowers, rubber band them together, and hang dry in a dark, dry place. The flowers will retain some color and look very beautiful in dry arrangements. I love growing everlasting flowers, and I talk about them more in my Introduction to Everlastings.
[/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.22.1″ hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]
How to Grow Yarrow From Seed?
I highly recommend growing yarrow from seed. The fact that yarrow comes in so many colors is another reason I grow it. You can buy yarrow at the nursery, but growing it from seed can give you more color choices for cut flowers. There is a list of places I buy seeds HERE if you want to know where to get yarrow seeds.
Yarrow is a perennial plant. This means it will bloom when it’s hot, die back in the fall, and stay mostly dormant during the cool season. Then it will start the cycle all over again in the spring. The ideal time to start yarrow from seed is in Spring or early Summer. If you live somewhere very hot, like I do, you should start in the spring so your plants can get established before the heat comes on.
Yarrow seeds need light to germinate. Basically, this means you don’t bury the seeds in the ground. Instead, you spread them out gently on top of the soil and lightly rake them in. When I grow yarrow from seeds, I just follow the basic steps for starting seeds. I know that they do better with light during germination. Simply sprinkle your yarrow seeds over pre-moistened seed starting mix (check out our DIY seed starting mix). You can press them gently into the soil or even slightly scratch them into the soil. Now we wait! It can take anywhere from 10-14 days to germinate. Water from the bottom, as the seeds will easily float away if you try to water from above.
Growing yarrow as a cut flower!
FAQ
Will yarrow rebloom if cut back?
Will yarrow bloom more than once?
What is the cut life of yarrow?
How to keep yarrow blooming all summer?