Description

Yarrow is one of those bread-and-butter native perennials that is easy to take for granted. It is found throughout North America in a variety of habitats, which testifies to its remarkable flexibility. Yarrow responds well to regular water but also can be naturalized (i.e. no supplemental irrigation). Without regular water it will go dormant for the summer, as it does in the hills surrounding Santa Clara County. Yarrow varies widely in size from population to population, but all share the fern-like leaves and tall umbels of bright white (rarely pink) flowers. The flowers are ideal for butterflies. A variety of soil types and sun exposures are accepted.