Duizendblad

Achillea millefolium

Engels: Yarrow

perennialAsteraceae🇳🇱 InheemsEetbaar

Duizendblad (Achillea millefolium) is a native to the Netherlands, edible perennial from the Asteraceae family that grows up to 80cm tall. This plant thrives in full sun to partial shade and requires low maintenance. Blooms in early summer and summer and late summer with white, pink flowers and attracts bees and butterflies.

Hoogte

30–80 cm

Breedte

30–60 cm

Zonligging

full sun, partial shade

Waterbehoefte

low water needs

Grondsoort

sandy soil, loam, chalky soil

Onderhoud

low maintenance

Bloeitijd

early summer, summer, late summer

Bloemkleuren

white, pink

Ecologische waarde

Trekt bijen aan

🦋 Trekt vlinders aan

Verzorgingskalender

Taak	Jan	Feb	Mrt	Apr	Mei	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Okt	Nov	Dec
🌱Planten
✂️Snoeien
💧Bemesten
🍎Oogsten

Care tips

Planting

Achillea millefolium thrives in full sun but tolerates partial shade, though flowering may be less prolific in shadier spots. It's exceptionally adaptable to soil type, growing happily in sandy soil, loam, or chalky soil, and it actually prefers lean, free-draining conditions over rich, heavy ground. Avoid waterlogged sites; yarrow dislikes wet feet and may rot in poorly drained soil. You can plant yarrow from March to May or in September and October. Spring planting gives plants a full season to establish, while autumn planting works well in milder areas, allowing roots to settle before winter. Prepare the soil by removing weeds and forking it over lightly—there's no need to add compost or manure, as yarrow performs better in less fertile ground. If your soil is heavy clay, work in some grit or sharp sand to improve drainage. Plant at the same depth the plant was growing in its pot, spacing individual plants 40 cm apart to allow for their spreading habit. Yarrow forms clumps that gradually expand via rhizomes, so give them room. After planting, firm the soil gently around the roots and water in well to settle them, even though yarrow has low water needs once established. Apply a light mulch of gravel or grit around the base if your soil is on the heavy side; this keeps the crown dry and discourages rot. Avoid organic mulches like bark or compost, which can make the soil too rich and cause floppy growth. Water occasionally during the first few weeks if the weather is dry, but yarrow establishes quickly and soon becomes drought-tolerant.

Pruning

Yarrow doesn't require heavy pruning, but a couple of well-timed cuts will keep plants tidy, encourage repeat flowering, and prevent excessive self-seeding. The main pruning window is March and November, though deadheading through the flowering season is equally important. In March, cut back any old stems you left standing over winter. Trim the whole plant down to just above the basal foliage—usually about 5–10 cm from the ground. This removes tatty growth and makes way for fresh shoots. Use clean secateurs or garden shears; yarrow stems are tough when dry, so sharp tools make the job easier. If you didn't cut back in autumn, March is your chance to tidy up before new growth begins in earnest. During the flowering period from June to August, deadhead spent flowerheads regularly. Snip them off just above a set of leaves or side shoots. This not only keeps the plant looking smart but often triggers a second, lighter flush of blooms later in summer. If you want yarrow to self-seed in informal areas, leave a few flowerheads to set seed in late summer, but be aware it can spread enthusiastically. In November, once flowering has completely finished and foliage begins to die back, cut the plant down to ground level again. Some gardeners prefer to leave the seedheads standing for winter interest and wildlife, then tidy up in early spring instead—both approaches work well. Yarrow is forgiving and bounces back reliably whichever schedule you choose.

Maintenance

Yarrow is a low-maintenance perennial that tolerates neglect once established. Its water needs are low; in fact, overwatering or rich, moist soil often causes weak, floppy stems. Water new plants during dry spells in their first season, but after that, rainfall is usually sufficient. In prolonged summer drought, an occasional deep soak is appreciated, but yarrow copes admirably without it. Feeding should be minimal. In April or May, scatter a light dressing of general-purpose granular fertiliser (such as blood, fish and bone) around the base of the plant, or skip feeding altogether if your soil is reasonably fertile. Too much nitrogen results in lush foliage that flops and is prone to mildew. Yarrow evolved on poor soils and doesn't need pampering. Overwintering is straightforward. Yarrow is fully hardy down to zone 3, so it sails through British and Irish winters without protection. Cut back dead stems in late autumn or early spring, and the plant will reshoot reliably from the base. No mulching or covering is necessary. Pests rarely trouble yarrow—it's actually known for attracting beneficial insects like hoverflies and ladybirds. The main issue to watch for is powdery mildew, which can appear as a white, dusty coating on leaves in humid or crowded conditions, especially in late summer. Improve air circulation by thinning congested clumps every three to four years: lift and divide plants in spring or autumn, replanting only the vigorous outer sections. Good spacing and avoiding overhead watering also help prevent mildew. Otherwise, yarrow looks after itself with minimal fuss.