perennial

Noble Yarrow

The Story

Plant Bio

Achillea nobilis, known as noble yarrow, is an upright, clump-forming perennial native to Europe and temperate Asia. It features deeply dissected, feathery, grayish-green foliage that is highly aromatic when crushed.

This species is distinguished by its dense, flat-topped clusters of tiny, creamy-white flowers that bloom from summer into early fall. The finely textured, hairy leaves provide a soft, silver-gray appearance in dry garden borders.

Uses & Benefits:

Provides fine, feathery, silver-gray foliage texture and flat-topped cream flower clusters that contrast well with spiky perennials.

Highly drought-tolerant once established and naturally resistant to deer and rabbit browsing due to aromatic foliage.

Attracts native bees, butterflies, and generalist insect pollinators to the garden.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Perennial

Height

24"

Width

24"

Light

Full Sun

Zones

4, 5, 6, 7, 8

Water

Low

Humidity

Moderate

Lifespan

Perennial

Native To

Europe, temperate Asia, Caucasus

Toxicity

Minor toxicity if ingested; can cause skin irritation

Bloom period

Summer – Fall

In flower about 6 months of the year

Planting

How to Grow

Select a planting site in full sun with exceptionally well-draining, lean soil.
Dig a hole twice the width of the root ball and set the plant at the same depth as its container.
Water moderately to settle the soil, then withhold regular irrigation once the root system is established.
Shear the plant back hard to the basal foliage after the first flush of flowers to maintain a compact habit.

Pro Tip

Plant in lean, sandy or gravelly soils and restrict irrigation; rich soils and regular watering cause the stems to grow excessively tall, leggy, and flop open in the center.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Plant in poor, sandy, or gravelly soils to maintain a tight, upright growth habit.
Cut back flowering stems to the basal foliage after blooming to prevent self-seeding and encourage fresh growth.
Divide mature clumps every two to three years in spring or fall to maintain plant vigor.

Don't

Do not apply fertilizer or plant in highly organic, rich soils, which leads to weak, floppy stems.
Do not overwater or plant in heavy clay soils that retain winter moisture, as this causes root rot.
Avoid pruning heavily into old, dead, leafless wood.

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Divide
Pest Check
Prune
Spring Cleanup

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Rock gardensDry bordersGravel gardensCottage gardensMeadow plantings

Companion Plants

Salvia nemorosa Echinacea purpurea Nepeta faassenii Festuca glauca

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Noble Yarrow questions

What zones can Noble Yarrow grow in?

Noble Yarrow is hardy in USDA Zones 4–8. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

Is Noble Yarrow deer resistant?

Yes — Noble Yarrow is rated deer-resistant. Deer typically pass it over, though extreme hunger can override any plant's defenses.

When does Noble Yarrow bloom?

Noble Yarrow typically blooms in summer through fall. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Noble Yarrow need full sun?

Noble Yarrow does best in full sun (6+ hours).

Is Noble Yarrow drought tolerant?

Yes — once established (usually after the first full season), Noble Yarrow handles dry spells with minimal watering. Water deeply its first year to build the root system that makes that possible.