Yarrow

Family. Asteraceae or Compositae.

Origin, where it grows. The native habitat is considered to be the Eurasian continent - from the Mediterranean regions to the Far East. In nature, plants prefer to settle in sunny places - in fields and steppes, along roadsides and in forest clearings.

Description - what it looks like. Yarrow is a perennial herbaceous flowering plant with a superficial creeping rhizome. The rhizome has a large number of brown lateral feeding segments. The bushes form erect or drooping, unbranched shoots. Often young stems have slight pubescence on the surface.

The leaves are oblong-lanceolate, up to 15 cm long, openwork, doubly pinnately dissected to leaf veins, green. The leaf blades are arranged alternately and often have small stipules.

Interestingly, the lower leaves often have petioles, while the upper ones are sessile and smaller. On the underside of the leaf blades there are special glands that secrete an oily secretion.

In the summer months, large inflorescences appear on the tops of the shoots - scutes with numerous small inflorescences - baskets. The flower heads that people perceive as individual buds are actually made up of rimmed ray flowers and central tubular flowers.

The color of the buds is most often white, but modern cultivated varieties have inflorescences of yellow, orange, red, pink, burgundy or lilac. The tubular flowers are often yellow or orange. 

According to one legend, the botanical name of the flower comes from Achilles, the main character of Homer’s Illiad and hero of the Trojan War. During the battles, he wounded King Telephus. The king’s wound did not heal for a long time and he turned to a local healer for help. He replied that whoever hurt you should help you. Achilles healed Telephus with yarrow.

Height. Depending on the specific species and environmental conditions, the height of yarrow can range from 15 cm to 120 cm.

Flowering time

The flowering period is very long - stretches throughout the summer months.

Useful properties and contraindications for the use of herbs

The medicinal properties of this plant are due to the many beneficial substances contained in the inflorescences and green mass. Elements found in the juice of the grass include iron and manganese, chromium and zinc, nickel, copper, cobalt and lead.

• A specific alkaloid such as achilein is capable of stopping bleeding within a short period of time.

• Yarrow essential oil contains chamazulene, an antioxidant that can eliminate allergy symptoms and has a bactericidal and healing effect. This substance is often used in cosmetology and in products for the care of teenage skin, as it perfectly fights acne.

• Proazulene is a substance that can lower blood pressure and has antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory effects.

• Borneol, used in cosmetology to care, moisturize and restore problematic skin, as well as to improve the condition of hair and prevent hair loss.

• Coumarin - used to treat nervous system disorders and various diseases of the upper respiratory tract, and also has a laxative effect.

• Camphor is a substance that stimulates the central nervous system, regulates cardiac and respiratory activity, and reduces pain in muscle pain, rheumatism, and arthritis.

• A flavonoid such as epigenin prevents and slows down the development of certain types of cancer, removes carcinogens from the body and acts as an antioxidant. Interestingly, in production it is used to dye fabrics yellow.

• Eugenol, used in medicine as an anesthetic and antiseptic.

• Luteolin - stimulates the immune system and has antioxidant properties.

• Vitamin B4 or choline - has a positive effect on intestinal function and promotes rapid transmission of signals from the nervous system, as well as promoting tissue regeneration and used for the prevention of strokes and heart attacks, Alzheimer's disease and atherosclerosis.

• Asparagine is an amino acid that regulates the activity of the nervous and endocrine systems. The plant also contains various flavonoids and tannins, phytoncides, carotene, vitamins C and K.

• Plants contain acids such as salicylic, formic, acetic, and aconitic. 

Yarrow infusion is taken orally as a means of accelerating metabolism and, as a result, can increase appetite, stop internal bleeding, remove excess bile from the body, and relieve intestinal spasms. Some substances in herbal mixtures with yarrow can coat the stomach during gastritis and ulcers, and improve the condition of the urinary system and liver.

Rinse the mouth with infusion to reduce bleeding gums. Washing with a decoction or infusion allows you to regulate the activity of the sebaceous glands and reduces oily skin. Rinsing hair stimulates hair growth and improves appearance.

Herbal teas soothe and help fight insomnia, relieve headaches, and relieve attacks of nausea and dizziness. The plant is also used for menstrual irregularities in women, to combat parasites and improve milk secretion during breastfeeding. 

Fresh green juice is applied in the form of compresses to damaged skin for speedy healing.

Most often, yarrow is used in combination with other medicinal plants:

The herbal mixture of yarrow with chamomile is used for various inflammations and disorders in the gastrointestinal tract, to restore the liver, problems with the urinary system, for gynecological diseases, for washing and baby baths, and for the treatment of pancreatitis.

In combination with St. John's wort to combat excess weight, treat liver, cholecystitis, circulatory disorders, enuresis and skin problems.

Infusions of yarrow with tansy for disorders of the liver, gall bladder and pancreas.

For infectious diseases, colds, spleen dysfunction, allergic reactions, a decoction of calendula is used as an immunomodulatory agent. Also, extracts of these plants are used to heal burns and frostbite, and to rejuvenate the entire body. 

In combination with wormwood, it fights the symptoms of gastritis, strengthens the immune system, and is a choleretic agent.

The collection of yarrow with nettle is used for bleeding, treatment of skin diseases, metabolic disorders, and wound healing.

Interestingly, the use of yarrow does not end there. Volatile essential oils contained in plants can repel many pests of garden and indoor plants - such as spider mites, ants, scale insects and thrips, as well as aphids. Abundant and long-lasting flowering attracts many pollinators - such as bees.

The characteristic taste of the herb allows it to be used in the preparation of various drinks - it resembles another well-known plant - tarragon.

The most common contraindications for the use of this flower are allergic reactions, rapid blood clotting, thrombophlebitis and atherosclerosis.

Pregnant women and children under 6 years of age, as well as patients suffering from excess stomach acid and hypotension (low blood pressure), should not take herbal preparations internally. If the dosage is exceeded, skin rashes and dizziness may occur. 

Collection and storage of medicinal raw materials

In folk medicine, shoots, leaves and inflorescences of yarrow are used. In order for them to contain a large amount of useful substances, they must be properly prepared and processed.

You should not collect the flower near highways or within the city - it will accumulate various toxins. Bushes of the first year of life are not suitable for harvesting - they need time to form a root system and develop sufficient green mass. 

The plant gains full strength before flowering or with the formation of the first buds - at this moment it is best to cut off the shoots. The upper part of the stems, 15–20 cm long, is cut off, or only the inflorescences are harvested. The shoots are usually not used for medicinal purposes - they contain too many tannins.

Collection is carried out in the morning, but only after the dew has completely dried. The collected raw materials are tied into small brooms and hung upside down in a ventilated place inaccessible to direct sun. Ultraviolet exposure can destroy many beneficial compounds, such as vitamin C and essential oils. 

You can also spread the stems in a warm room on racks in a small layer. The completely dried herb is crushed, collected in a paper bag and stored in a cool and dry room.

You can use the medicinal collection as needed for 3 years. You can also use special electrical appliances for drying, but the temperature in them should not exceed 50 degrees Celsius.

Planting and care

For yarrow, choose a well-lit area - when grown in partial shade, the plants will become weak and elongated, and flowering will be less abundant or will not occur at all. The flower prefers loose and well-drained soil with a neutral or slightly acidic pH level.

If the soil in the garden is alkaline, then before planting, do not mix in peat or water it with a weak solution of some household acid - for example, citric acid. 

Yarrow is planted with seeds or using seedlings. When planting seeds directly in open ground, flowering will occur at a later date or the next year.

The area for planting seedlings is dug up and cleared of weeds, and planting holes are prepared. The location of the holes will depend on the gardener's plans and the size of the adult plants. For compact varieties, leave 20 to 30 cm between holes. For tall specimens, you will need to increase the distance to 40 - 60 cm.

Mineral fertilizers with a high content of potassium and phosphorus are added to the soil for abundant flowering. For young plants, it is advisable to use nitrogen compounds - they will help to grow green mass faster. 

The seedlings in cups are first taken out to fresh air for hardening and left there in the daytime for 2 - 3 hours. The hardening time is gradually increased and after a week strong, acclimatized seedlings are obtained.

The plants are transported together with a lump of earth, being careful not to disturb the root system. After transshipment, the runt around the flowers is lightly tamped and the seedlings are watered. The bases of yarrow can be mulched with a small layer of sawdust or straw. Mulch will prevent the soil from drying out quickly and will help protect tender shoots from weeds.  

 Seeds are sown in the garden in the spring - in May, having also previously prepared the site. Make shallow grooves into which planting material is placed and sprinkled with loose peat and humus. The soil surface is moistened. As the sprouts appear, stronger specimens are left, and weak ones are pinched or transplanted to another place. 

It is recommended to water adult specimens in a timely manner, preventing the soil from drying out, and to feed them. Water the yarrow with settled tap water or rainwater - in the morning or evening.

Watering should not be carried out during the daytime - wet leaves of the plant can get burned under the rays of the sun. Also, do not allow moisture to get on the inflorescences.

After watering, they usually apply fertilizer and loosen the soil, being careful not to touch the surface root system. When loosening, weeds are removed. Tall specimens should be provided with support for growth, which will not allow the shoots to bend or break. 

Pruning

Yarrow does not need formative pruning. After flowering, cut off the inflorescences, trying to prevent self-seeding. In addition, dry shields with seeds spoil the appearance of the bushes. The shoots are trimmed with a sharp, sterile garden tool.

Before the onset of autumn cold, the entire ground part of the flower is cut off, leaving stumps about 5 cm high. In areas with harsh and snowless winters, the bases of the bushes are mulched with fallen leaves or spruce branches. When grown in the middle zone, winters usually pass without shelter. 

Reproduction

Yarrow can be propagated in two ways - by sowing seeds and cutting rhizomes. In the first case, it is possible to obtain a large number of plants at once, but the second guarantees the preservation of the varietal characteristics of the flower.

Growing from seeds

Yarrow can easily be propagated by seeds, but only species plants fully retain their appearance - hybrid varieties often lose their attractiveness when propagated by seed.

Planting material can be collected independently - seeds are formed and ripen within 1 - 1.5 months after the plants have flowered. Since the seeds are quite small, as they flower, the inflorescences should be tied with gauze or a bandage to prevent self-seeding. 

To collect seeds, select the largest and brightly colored scutes. Only brown, almost completely dry inflorescences are separated from the plant. The seeds are separated from the shoots and dried in a warm room with good air circulation.

Store collected seeds in paper envelopes in a cool and dry place. Seed germination persists for 2 - 3 years after collection. 

Sowing seeds

Sowing of seeds is carried out at home for seedlings or directly into the garden - in May, when the threat of the last night frosts becomes minimal. When growing seedlings in late February - early March, prepare containers with drainage holes.

The bottom of the containers is lined with expanded clay, broken bricks or pieces of foam to remove moisture after watering. Fill the seedling boxes with ready-made soil purchased at a flower shop or make up a soil mixture yourself from garden soil, leaf and turf humus, and peat. To improve drainage, river sand is added to the soil. 

The soil surface is lightly compacted with your fingertips and the seeds are sown. The crops are sprayed with settled water at room temperature from a spray bottle, and a thin layer of soil is sprinkled on top - about 3 - 5 mm. and re-hydrate.

To speed up germination, they create a greenhouse effect - cover the boxes with transparent film or plastic. Leave the seedlings at a temperature of 18 to 24 degrees Celsius, in a well-lit place without access to direct sunlight. The shelter is removed daily and the seedlings are ventilated, and condensation from its surface is collected. 

Caring for seedlings

Yarrow shoots usually appear within 7 to 14 days. From the moment the first shoots form, the cover is completely removed. The soil in the box is kept evenly moist. If the seedlings do not have enough light, then artificial lighting is used, increasing the duration of daylight hours to 12 - 14 hours a day.

The seedlings are grown until 2 - 4 true leaves are formed, after which they are planted. When diving, the bushes are carefully picked up along with a lump of earth and transferred to separate cups or pots. If by this time the weather outside is warm, then the seedlings can be immediately planted on the site. 

How to transplant yarrow

If it is necessary to change the location, the yarrow can be transplanted and it tolerates this procedure quite easily. Also, every 3 - 4 years it is worth replanting and lengthening adult plants - this will contribute to their rejuvenation.

The transplant is done in spring or autumn, trying to choose a cloudy or even rainy day. When replanting in autumn, the best time will be the second half of September - the flower will have time to adapt to the new location and grow the root system before the onset of cold weather.

Bushes transplanted in hot and sunny weather take root more difficult. A new place for the flower and a planting hole are first prepared. The plants are dug up along with a lump of earth and transferred to another area, and then planted. The seedlings are watered abundantly and the soil is kept moist for 2 - 3 weeks. 

Diseases and pests of yarrow

Plants that are strong and properly cared for rarely suffer from disease or pest infestation. Only the weevil occasionally encroaches on the yarrow; the grass repels other insects on its own with its smell.

Varieties and types:

Yarrow Millefolium

This species is found in temperate Eurasia and North America, as well as in New Zealand and Australia, where it is often grown to feed livestock. It is a herbaceous perennial with one or several shoots that can reach 1 meter in height. The leaves are narrowly lanceolate, deeply dissected, green, sometimes covered with slight pubescence. The length of the leaf blades can reach 5 - 20 cm, and when damaged they emit a specific odor. Corymbose inflorescences consist of small flower baskets - each can contain up to several hundred. Reed flowers have a white or pinkish tint. During the flowering period, the plants have a pleasant aroma reminiscent of chrysanthemums. The flowering period lasts from June to September, and if the weather is warm in the fall, the inflorescences will decorate the plants in October. 

Yarrow millefolium Tricolor

A profusely and long-flowering cultivated variety, the bushes of which are compact in size - reaching a height of 55 - 60 cm. Erect shoots bear openwork leaves reminiscent of a fern. The leaf blades are colored dark green. In June, large apical inflorescences with numerous flower baskets appear. The color of flower baskets can change over time. Only the blossoming flower heads have a dark cherry hue with a yellow center, but as they fade they can turn pink or yellow. The plants are excellent for cutting and for use as dried flowers.

Yarrow millefolium Terracotta

An attractive variety, the shoots of the plant can reach a height of 40 - 90 cm. The bushes form several vertical shoots, on which silvery-green lacy leaves are arranged in a spiral. The inflorescences - scutes - are painted in a bright orange color, which gradually fades to light yellow. The same specimen may contain inflorescences of different shades. The center of the flower heads is usually painted in a lighter shade, the wide reed flowers have longitudinal stripes of dark color and light yellow edges. 

Yarrow Paprika

Compact perennial, 40 to 60 cm high, with dark green, slightly branched shoots and oblong dissected leaves. Inflorescences - false corymbs appear at the beginning of summer and reach a diameter of 6 - 8 cm. Individual flower baskets consist of crimson or red reed flowers and yellow tubular ones, forming the middle of the flower head. When the inflorescences fade, they acquire yellow, pink or brownish shades. When damaged, the leaves emit a pleasant spicy aroma. 

Yarrow Petra

A common hybrid variety of yarrow, which is a flowering perennial herb up to 60 cm high. The shoots are hard, erect, round in cross-section. The leaf blades are airy, dissected down to the veins, and colored in a rich green hue. The apical inflorescences consist of several dozen large and brightly colored flower baskets. Each basket has wide reed flowers located along the edge and painted in a crimson hue. The white tubular flowers in the center of the flower head contrast perfectly with the bright center. 

Lilac Beauty

This low-grade yarrow variety produces lilac or pink flowers offset by dark green leaves. The bushes grow up to 60 cm in height. As they wither, the buds fade to lighter pink shades. The center of the flower heads may be yellow or greenish. The diameter of the inflorescences reaches 3 - 9 cm. The shoots can be either erect or lodging. 

Yarrow Summerwine

A spectacular cultivated variety of yarrow, which is distinguished by its bluish-green color of leaves and shoots. Large inflorescences with numerous wine-red flower heads perfectly highlight the beauty of the foliage. The tubular flowers in the center of the flower baskets are white in color. The height of the plants ranges from 30 to 60 cm, the diameter of the inflorescence reaches 12 - 14 cm. As the flowers fade, the scutes can fade to pink.

Yarrow Laura

A beautifully flowering hybrid with grayish-green leaves, reminiscent of a fern and covered with light pubescence. The bushes are compact in size and often do not exceed 30 - 45 cm in height. The inflorescences are large, brightly colored, carmine red. The tubular flowers in the middle of the flower head are white in color.

Achillea ptarmica

 The variety originates from Eurasia, but was introduced and successfully adapted to North America. It is a herbaceous perennial 45 - 60 cm high with erect or lodging shoots. The leaves are narrowly lanceolate, deeply dissected. This species is distinguished by small inflorescences - scutes, consisting of very large flower heads compared to other yarrows. The inflorescences resemble chamomile in shape and consist of yellowish or cream tubular flowers and wide and white reed flowers.

Yarrow Pearl mussel

 This hybrid was bred on the basis of yarrow ptarmika and is characterized by very abundant and long-lasting flowering. The flower heads are boiling white, double, and consist of a large number of reed flowers.

Achillea filipendulina

 The native habitat of this species is such Asian regions as Iran and Iraq, Türkiye and the Caucasus. The plants are tall - easily reaching a height of 120 cm. The bushes form erect, rigid shoots, on which deeply dissected leaf veins are located. The stems are crowned with large inflorescences - scutes with many flower heads, painted in a golden-orange hue. This perennial probably has the largest inflorescences among yarrows - they can reach 13 - 15 cm in diameter.

Yarrow Moonshine

 A cultivated variety that is distinguished by attractive bluish-green leaves and shoots. Golden inflorescences with small flower baskets set off the foliage. The flowering period is long - starting at the end of spring it lasts until September. The plants reach a height of 60 cm.

Yarrow asiatica

The native habitat of the species is the territory of countries such as Japan, China, Mongolia and part of Siberia. This beautiful species is not only distinguished by its excellent decorative qualities, but is also widely used in folk medicine and is resistant to adverse external conditions. The plants have erect, strong stems and spectacular inflorescences with white, soft pink or lilac flowers. Flower baskets have large tubular flowers that often form a convex center.

Achillea tomentosa

 One of the smallest yarrows - even adult bushes do not exceed a height of 15 - 20 cm. The variety comes from Europe and Western Asia. In its natural habitat, it prefers to settle on mountain slopes and on rocky soil. When growing in the garden, it is worth considering this feature and providing this flower with well-drained soil. The shoots are short, dense, with lacy, finely dissected leaves with rich pubescence. The leaf blades are colored dark green. The inflorescences are large, golden yellow, and form throughout the summer.

Yarrow nobilis

A Eurasian variety that closely resembles the common yarrow. The only difference is in the inflorescences - they consist of many very small flower baskets. The inflorescences are painted white or cream. This perennial can reach a height of 80 cm.

Achillea glaberrima

Compact flowering plants from 30 to 45 cm in height with thin, hard shoots. The leaves are dark green and resemble fronds of a fern. The main decoration of the bushes are brightly colored inflorescences with flowers of white, pink or crimson hue. The tubular flowers are often golden in color.

Yarrow setacea

 The distribution area of ​​this species includes countries such as Europe, Central Asia, Mongolia, and China. The bushes form a large number of basal lanceolate, dense leaves, dissected down to the veins. Before flowering begins, shoots with small rounded scutes are formed. The tubular flowers are colored cream or yellowish, and the reed flowers are white.

Yarrow cartilaginea

This perennial is common in Southeastern Europe and often lives along the banks of reservoirs, content with sandy soil poor in nutrients. The appearance of this variety is strikingly different from other yarrows. The bushes form dense, rigid, erect shoots up to 80 - 100 cm high. The leaf blades are entire, narrowly linear, arranged alternately. The inflorescences consist of very large flower heads that resemble a daisy. Reed flowers are white and often bent back, while tubular flowers are yellowish.

Yarrow colina

 Currently, this species is found in Australia, North America and Eurasia. Plants settle in the foothills or in dry and well-ventilated clearings and meadows. When planting in the garden, it is better to place this flower on an alpine hill, where there is an excellent drainage of moisture after rain or melting snow. The bushes have erect, tall shoots. The leaves are dark green, dissected, basal and located on the stems. The leaf blades reach a length of 5 - 7 cm. The inflorescences are small, formed during the summer and often remain until October. Flower baskets with large tubular flowers forming the middle and ligulate flowers with small denticles along the edges. The color of the flowers is white or soft pink.

Achillea ageratifolia

 A compact, attractive perennial, the shoots of which reach only 20 cm in height, found in Southern Europe. The bushes have a large number of basal shoots that form a dense, round shape. The leaf blades are linear, dark green, covered with very dense pubescence, which makes them silvery. There are small teeth along the edges of the leaves. Flowering is abundant - small but numerous inflorescences almost completely hide the foliage. The corymbs consist of large flower heads with a yellow center and white ligulate flowers along the edge. 

Achillea taurica

A rather rare species, which is a flowering perennial of medium height, reaching from 50 to 90 cm. Vertical shoots are covered with sparse, dark green, linear leaves. The leaf blades are dissected, arranged alternately on short petioles or sessile. The inflorescences are small, apical, and consist of white or golden flower heads.

Achillea clavennae

 Compact attractive bushes with numerous shoots up to 25 cm high. The leaves are silvery green, dissected, covered with light pubescence. The inflorescences are quite large, consisting of several dozen flower heads. Reed flowers are wide, white, tubular, bent back. Located in the center of the flower basket, they are creamy and form a convex core. Plants are found in Central Europe.

Yarrow arabica, Yarrow biebersteinii

A flowering perennial up to 60 cm high with oblong or spear-shaped pinnate gray-green leaves divided into numerous linear segments. At the end of spring or in summer, it decorates itself with shields of bright yellow flowers.

Yarrow micrantha

This variety is found in Eastern Europe, Siberia and the Caucasus. Compact bushes have several silvery-green shoots and charming golden inflorescences. The flower heads are large, with a convex center of tubular flowers and wide reed flowers bent back.

Yarrow x kellereri

 Attractive appearance with numerous silvery shoots branched at the base. The plants have silvery linear leaves. The leaf blades are dark green, covered with thick, light pubescence. Even adult specimens retain a compact shape and often do not exceed a height of about 20 cm. This hybrid was bred in Bulgaria and has inflorescences with large flower heads reminiscent of a chamomile. The center of the flowers is yellow or cream-colored, the reed petals along the edges are white.

Yarrow inundata

Medium-sized plants with many basal, openwork leaves that give the bushes an airy appearance. Erect, weakly leafy shoots bear inflorescences consisting of white flowers at the tops.

Yarrow alpina

 A large perennial, the slightly pubescent shoots of which reach 80 cm in height. The leaves are green, alternately arranged, and have a narrow, linear shape. leaf blades with numerous denticles along the edges. Inflorescences - scutes consist of several dozen white flower heads.