1. Easy to Grow and Resilient: Fernleaf Yarrow, also known as Achillea filipendulina, is a gardening superstar that thrives in USDA Zones 3 to 9. What’s remarkable about it? Well, it’s one of those plants that belong to the “Extremely easy to grow” club, delivering fantastic results even when you forget to water it! Plus, it’s a no-go for deer and rabbits, but be cautious around horses—it’s toxic to them.
2. Thrives in Various Conditions: This plant is a champ in adapting to different sunny spots in your garden. It can handle poor soil like a pro and becomes drought-tolerant once it settles in.
3. A Spreading Marvel: Fernleaf Yarrow may be slow to spread, but it eventually forms large, attractive clumps, adding structure and beauty to your garden.
4. Sunshine on Stems: This resilient plant graces your garden throughout the summer with clusters of golden-yellow flowers on tall stems. It’s a magnet for butterflies and bees, and its blossoms are perfect for fresh and dried flower arrangements.
5. Blooms Galore: To keep the show going, simply deadhead spent flower heads to lateral buds. After flowering, trim it down to the basal leaves to tidy up your garden and encourage possible fall blooms. But don’t rush to clean up in autumn; birds love the seeds, and the attractive seedheads stay throughout winter.
6. Divide and Conquer: Fernleaf Yarrow is a breeze to divide in the fall or early spring, making it easy to manage and share with friends.
7. Heatproof Hero: Whether your garden basks in scorching temperatures, Fernleaf Yarrow can handle it with grace, making it an excellent choice for warm climates.
8. Striking Foliage: Its grayish-green leaves are deeply dissected, adding fascinating texture and contrast to your garden’s palette.
9. Cultivate Variety: Explore the horticultural world with various cultivated Fernleaf Yarrow varieties. Among my favorites are ‘Coronation Gold’ (60-90 cm in height with a spread of 45 – 60cm) and ‘Cloth of Gold’ (90-120 cm in height with a spread of 45 – 60cm), each offering unique charm and dimensions.
Now, let’s combine Fernleaf Yarrow with other fantastic plants to create your dream garden!
Pairing Yarrow with other plants is a breeze thanks to its long-lasting blooms. Here are some fantastic combinations that will make your garden pop:
1. Vibrant Contrast: For a bold contrast, consider pairing Yarrow with Salvia ‘Caradonna’ or Agastache ‘Black Adder.’ The distinct structures and vibrant colors of these plants create an eye-catching display.
2. Soft and Serene: If you prefer a softer look, try planting Yarrow alongside Perovskia atriplicifolia ‘Blue Spire’ or behind Nepeta ‘Six Hills Giant.’ These companions’ gentle hues and graceful forms will provide a calming effect.
3. Golden Backdrop: Achillea ‘Cloth of Gold’ is an excellent backdrop for other plants, especially when paired with Aster x frikartii ‘Mönch.’ This combination offers a striking contrast between the golden Yarrow and the purple-blue Aster blooms.
4. Amongst Grasses: Yarrow can also shine among ornamental grasses with varying flowering periods. For a dynamic and textured garden, consider planting it alongside Stipa gigantea, Deschampsia cespitosa, or Calamagrostis acutiflora.
If you’re unsure about the spacing and quantities needed for your flower garden, I’ve created a handy workbook ‘Perennial combinations WORKBOOK: Plan & Design a LOW-MAINTENANCE FULL SUN Flower Garden.’ Inside, you’ll find graph paper and scaled labels for each of the 15 plants mentioned. With these tools, you can sketch your garden layout, position plant labels, and experiment freely with different arrangements. This interactive approach allows you to visualize how each plant fits into your garden and provides clear guidance on optimal plant spacing. Plus, it simplifies the process of calculating the number of plants required to bring your dream flower bed to life.
With this workbook in hand, you’ll be well-equipped to design a stunning and well-planned garden that showcases the beauty of Yarrow and its companions. Happy gardening!
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