Phonetic Spelling:ak-ih-LEE-ah mill-ee-FOH-lee-um
Genus:Achillea
Species:millefolium
Family:Asteraceae
This perennial, brought to America from Europe during colonial times, thrives in well-drained soil and full sunlight. It often establishes itself in fields and along roadsides, serving as an excellent plant for wildlife by attracting butterflies. Additionally, it is ideal for creating beautiful cut or dried floral arrangements and is easy to divide. This plant exhibits moderate tolerance to salt and can spread vigorously through rhizomes while also self-seeding frequently. After its initial flowering, it can be deadheaded back to a lateral bud to promote a second bloom. Although it is generally viewed as too weedy for borders, it excels as a flowering ground cover in meadows, prairies, and naturalized spaces. In sunny areas with minimal foot traffic, it can even serve as an alternative to traditional lawns. By the end of summer, the plant may become less visually appealing post-bloom, but it can be significantly pruned or mowed at the highest setting in naturalized regions. To ensure robust growth and minimize disease, large clumps should be divided as needed. The various cultivars offer a spectrum of flower colors, including shades of pink, red, cream, yellow, and bicolor pastels, while hybrid varieties have been developed for sturdier stems and a more upright growth habit.
The plant's finely divided, pinnatifid to decompoundly pinnatifid leaves provide a soft, fern-like appearance, making it visually appealing even when the upright flowering branches are not in bloom. Flowering typically occurs from mid to late summer and extends into early fall, with a tendency to spread within garden beds.
Family: Asteraceae (Compositae)
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Issues: Stem rot and powdery mildew are uncommon, though stems may be weak. Wind and rain can cause the plants to flatten, and they can spread aggressively.
Quick Identification Tips:
Achillea millefolium Feature Summary
Achillea millefolium Image Gallery
