Woolly Yarrow is a flowering perennial in the aster family (Asteraceae) native to southern Europe and western Asia. The genus name Achillea comes from the greek hero Achilles, and tomentosa means wooly hairs. This low-growing species reaches 6-8 inches high and can spread up to 1 foot. It is poor soil tolerant and soils must be well-drained. Divide as needed to control size. Deadhead to prevent spread outside of the garden as it can be weedy. The yellow flowers bloom in dense clusters from spring into summer. To promote additional blooming, deadhead once the flowers are no longer blooming. Cutting the plant down to the basal leaves after flowering may also encourage an additional fall bloom and will keep a neater appearance in the garden. Wolly Yarrow is deer, rabbit, and drought resistant and withstands light foot traffic. Plant it in a rock garden, plant it in a container, or use it to edge a garden space. Does best in cooler summer areas. Insects, Diseases and Other Plant Problems: Susceptible to stem not, powdery mildew and rust. More information on Achillea .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Soil texture
Loam (Silt); Sand; Shallow Rocky
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Alkaline (>8.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Occasionally Dry
Available space
Less than 12 inches; 12 inches-3 feet
NC region
Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 0 ft. 6 in. - 0 ft. 8 in. | Width: 0 ft. 8 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
Growth rate
Slow
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
5 - Groundcover (<1 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Horizontal; Spreading
Texture
Fine
Foliage
Semi-evergreen
Leaf color
Gray/Silver; Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Lanceolate
Leaf margin
Lobed; Serrate
Leaf feel
Soft
Leaf value
Fragrant
Leaf size
1-3 inches long
Hairs present
Yes
Leaf detail
2 in. long pungent, grayish foliage; each leaf is twice-divided; hairy on both sides and resemble fern fronds. A spicy fragrance is emitted when crushed.
Flower color
Gold/Yellow
Flower value
Good Cut; Showy
Flower form
Corymb; Umbel
Flower shape
Tubular
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
Small clusters of sunny yellow disk and ray flowers appear late spring to mid-summer.
Bloom time
Spring; Summer
Fruit type
Achene
Fruit detail
Achenes contain a single seed.
Stem color
Green
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Non-native
Origin
Eurasia
Wildlife value
Attracts butterflies and bees.
Attracts
Bees; Butterflies
Play value
Attractive Flowers; Attracts Pollinators; Easy to Grow; Textural
Food & Medicine
Harvest time
Fall; Summer
Fruit type
Achene
Uses (ethnobotany)
Good cut flower
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Container; Patio; Slope/Bank; Small Space; Walkways
Landscape theme
Butterfly Garden; Drought Tolerant Garden; Pollinator Garden; Rock Garden
Design feature
Accent; Border; Mass Planting; Small groups; Specimen