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Flower profile

Yarrow

Quick facts

Botanical name: Achillea millefolium (and Achillea filipendulina). In SAF's language of flowers, yarrow means good health.

Yarrow at a glance

Meaning
good health
Colors
  • Yellow
  • Gold
  • White
  • Pink
  • Red
  • Peach
  • Lavender
Vase life
Long-lived cut flower.
Season
Summer, June-September.
Special care
Cut or buy fully open clusters. Change the water often. To dry, hang bunches upside down in a dark, airy place.
Size
A tough perennial 1 to 3 feet tall with feathery leaves and flat-topped clusters of tiny flowers
Also called
Milfoil, Common yarrow, Fernleaf yarrow

Pet safety

Yarrow (listed as Milfoil) is toxic to dogs, cats and horses; contact can cause skin irritation.

About yarrows

A tough perennial 1 to 3 feet tall with feathery leaves and flat-topped clusters of tiny flowers. Long-lasting fresh and excellent dried.

How to make yarrows last

  1. Keep them cool until they are in water. Keep your flowers in a cool place until you can get them into a flower food solution.
  2. Fill a clean vase with water and flower food. Use a clean, deep vase and add the flower food from your florist, following the mixing directions on the packet.
  3. Remove leaves below the waterline. Leaves in water promote bacterial growth that can limit water uptake by the flower.
  4. Re-cut the stems. Remove one to two inches with a sharp knife or clippers that will not crush the stems, then place the flowers straight into the vase.
  5. For yarrows. Cut or buy fully open clusters. Change the water often. To dry, hang bunches upside down in a dark, airy place.
  6. Keep them in a cool spot. 65 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit, away from direct sunlight, heating or cooling vents and ceiling fans.

Care steps from SAF’s flower care tips. More flower care tips →

Questions about yarrows

What does the yarrow mean?

In the traditional language of flowers, the yarrow stands for "good health".

What colors do yarrows come in?

Yarrows come in yellow, gold, white, pink, red, peach and lavender.

How long do yarrows last in a vase?

Long-lived cut flower. Re-cut the stems, use the flower food from your florist and keep the vase cool and out of direct sun to get the most days.

How do you care for yarrows?

Keep yarrows cool until they are in water, use a clean vase with flower food, remove any leaves below the waterline, re-cut the stems by one to two inches and keep the vase at 65 to 72 degrees, away from direct sunlight and vents. For yarrows: Cut or buy fully open clusters. Change the water often. To dry, hang bunches upside down in a dark, airy place.

Are yarrows safe around pets?

Yarrow (listed as Milfoil) is toxic to dogs, cats and horses; contact can cause skin irritation.

Where can I buy yarrows?

From a local SAF member florist. Enter the recipient's ZIP code on this page to find florists near them.

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