perennial

Fragrant Yarrow

The Story

Plant Bio

Achillea odorata, the fragrant yarrow, is a compact, mounding evergreen perennial native to the dry, rocky slopes of the western and southern Mediterranean Basin. The finely divided, deeply dissected foliage is covered in soft downy hairs that give the entire plant a distinct grayish-green to silvery-green appearance.

This species is distinguished by its tight, low-growing habit and aromatic foliage that releases a strong scent when brushed. In summer, it produces dense, flat-topped compound clusters of pale cream-white flowers held on short stems above the foliage.

Uses & Benefits:

Forms a dense, silvery-green mat of feathery foliage topped with soft cream-white flowers.

Provides an exceptionally drought-tolerant groundcover or rock garden plant for poor, stony soils.

Attracts native beneficial insects, small bees, and butterflies while resisting deer and rabbit browsing.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Perennial

Height

20"

Width

20"

Light

Full Sun, Partial Sun

Zones

5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10

Water

Low

Humidity

Moderate

Lifespan

Perennial

Native To

Mediterranean Basin

Toxicity

Toxic to Cats, Dogs, and Horses

Bloom period

Summer – Autumn

In flower about 6 months of the year

Planting

How to Grow

Select a site in full sun with exceptionally well-drained, gritty, or sandy-loam soil.
Plant bare-root divisions or potted starts in spring, ensuring the crown sits level with the soil surface.
Water sparingly during the first season to establish the root system, then transition to minimal irrigation.
Cut spent flowering stems back to the basal rosette in late summer to maintain a tight, compact form.

Pro Tip

Provide structural neglect by planting in poor, gritty soil and withholding fertilizer; rich soils and excess moisture cause the tight mounds to flop and rot at the crown.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Plant in poor, lean, or rocky soils with immaculate drainage.
Prune flowering stems completely back to the basal foliage after the first bloom flush.
Wear gloves when handling the foliage to prevent skin irritation and photosensitivity.

Don't

Do not apply high-nitrogen fertilizers, which cause weak, floppy growth and shorten the plant's lifespan.
Do not plant in heavy clay or waterlogged soils where root rot is inevitable.
Do not cut back into old, leafless woody stems when pruning.

Seasonal Care Calendar

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

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Rock gardensDry bordersGravel gardensEdgingGroundcover

Companion Plants

Salvia Lavandula Rosmarinus Thymus

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Fragrant Yarrow questions

What zones can Fragrant Yarrow grow in?

Fragrant Yarrow is hardy in USDA Zones 5–10. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

Is Fragrant Yarrow deer resistant?

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

When does Fragrant Yarrow bloom?

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

Does Fragrant Yarrow need full sun?

Fragrant Yarrow does best in full sun to part shade. In hot climates, afternoon shade keeps blooms fresher longer.

Is Fragrant Yarrow drought tolerant?

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