Yippee for Yarrow!
A Year of Noticing - Day 294
The perennials that I grow in the front garden is a constant evolution, especially with the large tree that needed to be cut down last fall - shifting the entire garden from nearly full shade to completely full sun.
The south facing garden now faces the relentless and wonderful heat and sun. I moved most of the shade-loving hostas to the shaded parts of the backyard, and I’ve definitely noticed the plants that are thriving with this shift in heat and sunlight!
I’m not even sure where the yarrow came from originally, and it grew so minimally over the first few years that I was ready to dig it out and plant something in its place. Perhaps, it simply needed a different environment to thrive and flourish!
(Side note: yarrow, also known as Achillea millefolium… and I learned today that the millefolium in the scientific name comes from the words mille, which is latin for ‘thousand’ and folium for ‘leaf’, which is a great way to describe the soft, fine, feathery leaves, and I love the visual imagery this name depicts.)
This year, the yarrow is growing taller than I have ever seen, and it is completely full of buds, adding a gentle, pale hue to blend with some of the brighter shades of the garden! I’m loving the feathery leaves and delicate flowers, and it makes me smile as they continue to spread joy in the garden and in my soul!
Today I was full of gratitude that the me of last summer and the summer before, allowed these yarrow plants to continue to grow and spread… and I’m even enjoying seeing it pop up in areas of the grass - it does a better job of choking out the weeds and adds a bit of green to the areas of dirt and mud where the grass hasn’t been able to survive the rough and tumble play of my children!
I used to pull it out of the yard, but after one of aunts shared that she simply lets it grow in among her grass, I decided to experiment with that also… and I believe is a native plant species to this area… and the grass we grow in our front yards is not. As the yarrow strives to reclaim its place in my yard, I’m appreciating its beauty!
xo
If you’re curious you can explore any previous posts in A Year of Noticing HERE.
So glad to hear that you’re enjoying your yarrow! I’ve had it growing in my flowerbed beside the pool for years! Most ppl grown when they see it, and I admit to having frustration with the wild nature that causes it to propagate at an alarming rate! I’m now thinning it out yearly! But I admit that I can’t bring myself to eradicate it completely! It’s a lovely filler and the pastel colours of the blooms make me smile in appreciation! It thrives in full sun, and on a hot dry year like the one we’re having, I’m grateful for a plant that can thrive! 🤣