The yarrow (Achillea millefolium) is not only a dainty flowering and pleasantly scented perennial on the waysides in nature. This edible perennial can also be cultivated in the garden in the right location with little maintenance.

After cutting, the yarrow can be dried and made into tea, for example

Cut in fall or spring?

The withered inflorescences and shoots of the yarrow can basically be cut off relatively flexibly, either in autumn or in spring. Since the inflorescences, which have been dried by the sun directly in the bed, are relatively stable, they also look quite decorative in a snow-covered perennial bed. The withered inflorescences can also be cut off close to the ground before winter, but cutting back with the new shoots in spring is sufficient. However, many hobby gardeners cut the flowers and leaves of the yarrow much earlier anyway in order to use them for the following purposes:

  • as part of decorative dried bouquets
  • as a medicinal plant in the form of teas and tinctures
  • as an edible ingredient in various recipes

Curb the spread of yarrow by pruning in good time

If the seeds on the inflorescences of the yarrow reach full maturity, the yarrow tends to self-seed relatively strongly at its respective location. However, you can prevent this by cutting off and composting the inflorescences immediately after flowering. In terms of plant size, yarrow is not usually pruned back, but instead the plants are divided every three to four years. This division also prevents the otherwise occurring senescence of the plants.

Stimulate a second bloom with a pruning

If the inflorescences are quickly cut back immediately after the first flowering period in July, yarrows can also flower again at a suitable location. Compost should only be given to the yarrow as a fertilizer in spring and autumn. Otherwise, the plants do not need any special fertilizers, even with two flowering phases, as they tend to form long stalks, which affects the stability of the plants.

tips

If you intend to use yarrow inflorescences for dry bunching, you should prune them on a hot, dry day. To dry, the yarrow umbels are hung upside down in a well-ventilated place for about three weeks.

Category:

Herbs