Woolly Yarrow

When you have a hot, dry, sunny location in your garden (think real rock garden situation - tough soil, fast drainage, radiating heat) you have a handful of plants that will really live and thrive there. At the top of that list is Wooly Yarrow (Achillea tomentosa).

Yarrows are some of the best performers in these challenging garden situations. There are several kinds of yarrow, too, to fit just about any style. Wooly Yarrow is the classic dwarf version. It forms a tight, low-growing mat of fuzzy olive-green foliage. It has a texture that begs to be touched. Don't be surprised to find people petting these plants! This evergreen is then topped by big, flat clusters of canary-yellow flowers through the late spring and early summer. They are very showy and are quite striking against the subdued colored leaves.

Use Wooly Yarrow in the front of the border. It makes a pretty and different edging. It works especially well with other Mediterranean-type plants - penstemons, lavenders and sages for instance.

It looks fantastic cascading out of big classic Mediterranean urns.

It also has a very home-spun look and works extremely well in cottage gardens (where it has been a staple for decades) as well as a perfect counterpoint to simple modern gardens.

This is a great plant that isn't used enough. Try some in your garden today!