Description

California’s yarrow is distinctly adaptable, occurring in a wide range of habitats from high montane to chaparral to coastal scrub. Typically dormant it springs to life with feathery foliage (millefolium = a thousand leaves) and a dense umbel of tiny flowers frequented by butterflies. While the flower is usually white, the ‘island pink’ selection sports flowers of carnation pink. Yarrow seems to do better with regular water and will spread fairly quickly via underground rhizomes. If water is withheld, yarrow will go dormant in the summer months. Remove the spent flowers to maintain a clean appearance. This selection is from Santa Cruz Island, a Channel Island off the coast from Santa Barbara.