Herbaceous layer · Herbaceous perennial
Yarrow
Achillea millefolium
A tough perennial herb used as an insectary and dynamic accumulator in temperate food forests. Spreads into a useful edge and pathway plant.
Also known as: Yarrow
Layer
Herbaceous layer
Climate
Warm temperate, Temperate, Cool temperate
Sun
Full sun to light shade.
Water
Drought tolerant once established; prefers moderate moisture for lush growth.
Soil
Adaptable; thrives in free-draining soils including poorer ground.
Size
0.4–0.8 m H · Spreading mats W
Growth
Moderate to fast
Frost
Very frost hardy.
Edible uses
Not primarily grown for direct human food on this site’s guidance.
Harvest window
Flowering through warm months
Ecological functions
Insectary · Dynamic accumulator (practical tradition) · Soil cover · Path edge
Wildlife value
Pollinator and beneficial insect forage
Human uses
Insectary planting · Compost additive (practical tradition)
Propagation
Division or seed.
Maintenance
Cut back after flowering; contain spread in tidy beds.
NZ growing notes
Hardy across Aotearoa. Valuable more for ecology than as food.
In the food forest
Yarrow is a hardy herbaceous insectary and edge plant under deciduous fruit. It supports beneficial insects without demanding rich soil.
Establishment
Plant divisions in autumn or spring. Water once to establish. Cut spent flowers. Contain rhizomes if beds must stay formal.
NZ honesty
Nationwide hardy. Expect spread — design for it rather than fighting a plant that wants to be a meadow edge.
Suitable NZ regions
Companion plants
References
- Permaculture insectary practice — Common beneficial-insect plant in NZ gardens.