Yarrow 'Desert Rose' - Achillea millefolium
 
Achillea millefolium, common name Yarrow, grows best in dry to medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun. Protect the plant from strong winds as the stems tend to flop especially in hot, humid climates. The ‘Deep Rose’ cultivar of the Desert Eve series is a carefree, compact (1-2′), early flowering Yarrow variety. Plants form low mounds of fragrant ferny foliage, with clusters of flowers appearing on upright stems in early summer. This selection from the Desert Eve™ series has large, deep-rose flower clusters.  It is also more compact than traditional Yarrow, growing only to 2″ in height at maturity. The fern-like, aromatic foliage and long lasting crimson red flowers, 2-4″ across, last throughout the summer months. Herbalists value yarrow for its medicinal properties. Yarrow can be a bit aggressive for use in borders so it is best allowed to naturalize in out of the way sites or in mass plantings for a bold band of color throughout the summer. This Yarrow, like all Yarrows, is highly attractive to butterflies; plant in mass with Coneflowers and Coreopsis. Remove faded flowers regularly to promote continued blooming. Easily divided in fall or early spring. Plants may be trimmed back hard after the first flush of bloom, to maintain a compact habit.
 
Photo: Emerson Sapienza