Common Yarrow (Pink Variety)
Achillea millefolium · Herbaceous Perennial (Not a tree species)
Plant Family
Asteraceae
Tree Category
Flowering Herb / Wildflower
Variety / Cultivar
Likely Achillea millefolium 'Rosea' or similar pink-flowered cultivar
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 3-9; highly adaptable to various climates from alpine to coastal.
About This Tree
While not a tree, this is a hardy perennial herb with an erect, fibrous stem. It features a flat-topped terminal flower cluster (umbel-like cymes) and a fern-like overall appearance. It spreads via rhizomes.
Leaf Characteristics
Alternate, 3-4 inches long, feathery and fern-like (bipinnate or tripinnate), finely divided into many small leaflets, giving it a soft, woolly texture.
Bark Characteristics
Not applicable; stems are green, slightly hairy, and angular, becoming more fibrous and tan as they dry at the end of the season.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere (Europe, Asia, North America)
Growing Season
Spring through Fall; blooms typically occur from early summer to early fall; dormant in winter
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun preferred; very low water needs once established; highly drought-tolerant; performs well in poor, well-drained soils.
Mature Size
Height: 1-3 feet; Spread: 1-2 feet; Growth rate: Fast; Lifespan: Perennial (many years through rhizomatic spread).
Special Characteristics
High drought and heat tolerance; disease resistant; historically used medicinally to stop bleeding (styptic); deer and rabbit resistant due to aromatic foliage.
Wildlife & Ecology
Attracts many pollinators including bees, butterflies, and hoverflies; provides nectar for parasitic wasps that aid in natural pest control; seeds are occasionally eaten by small birds.