Achillea millefolium, commonly known as yarrow, is a common and beneficial perennial wildflower with a clumping, upright habit up to three feet tall. Yarrow is also known for its large, clustered flower heads which bloom from the middle of summer into the early fall. Yarrow flowers are typically white, though cultivar colors may differ, and are highly attractive to pollinators, butterflies, and native bees, and the foliage has a pleasant, herbal smell when rubbed or crushed. The 'New Vintage Violet' cultivar is noted for its tidy, clumping growth habit to only 12-15" tall, upright violet-purple flowers, and long-lasting blooms.
Regarded as a very hardy species, Achillea millefolium is resistant to deer browsing and is also tolerant of drought, heat, and salt exposure. Yarrow grows best in average soils with good drainage, but especially those with fertile organic matter. Commonly used in naturalized meadows, Achillea millefolium also grows excellently in pollinator and rock gardens and in raised beds and small spaces.