Western Yarrow

Common yarrow is a hardy perennial herb native to much of North America and found in a wide range of habitats, from meadows and open forests to roadsides and disturbed soils. It forms low, feathery mats of finely divided, aromatic leaves and sends up tall flowering stems topped with flat clusters of small white to pinkish blooms in summer. It has a long bloom season from mid-spring to mid-autumn, making it an important nectar source for pollinators, and it is known for its resilience in dry, nutrient-poor soils. It has long been valued for its medicinal properties, particularly for wound healing and inflammation reduction. Yarrow is incredibly hardy and can be used as a drought–tolerant lawn substitute, even tolerant of mowing (though it won’t produce flowers if mowed frequently). Yarrow can be aggressive in yards and gardens, spreading by both seeds and rhizomes, so plant it accordingly.