Achillea millefolium" or Yarrow – its common names include Nosebleed, Thousand Weed, Soldiers' Woundwort, Staunch Grass, Milfoil and even Devil's Plaything.
A hardy perennial that has lovely silvery green ferny leaves and large heads of tiny flowers which can be in pinks, reds, white or yellows. It is very easy to grow.
- Likes full sun in moist but well-drained soil but in fact does quite well in dry soil
- Flowers from May to July
- Grows to about 3 ft (92 cm) in height.
- It can be cut back to the ground in the autumn.
- Large clumps should be divided in autumn or spring.
- Dried flower heads can be used in floral arrangements
- Please note - Yarrow can be invasive.
The name Yarrow comes from the Anglo-Saxon "yearwe" and it is found in its wild, white form in meadows and hedgerows in England
There are many stories connected with Yarrow - apparently and please don’t try this -if a woman wanted to know if her man was being faithful to her - she would tickle her nose with Yarrow and if it started to bleed, she would know that her lover was true to her!
In mediaeval times bunches of yarrow were tied to babies’ cradles to protect them from the spells of both witches and fairies.
It is said that Yarrow planted in the herb garden improves the growth of surrounding plants - if you have had experience of this please let me know.
Enjoy your English Garden



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