Yarrow Flowers
Yarrow is a hardy, herbaceous perennial with aromatic, fern‑like foliage and flat clusters of tiny flowers ranging from white to yellow, pink, and red. Easy to grow, drought tolerant, and loved by pollinators, it suits cottage gardens, wildflower meadows, and naturalized plantings—and also dries well for everlasting arrangements.
Occasions & recipients
Find flowers by occasion
Best occasions
- Get‑well/Recovery
- Housewarming
- Summer birthdays
- Rustic/Meadow‑style weddings
- Thank‑you
- New baby (wishes for health)
Suitable for
- Friends
- Family
- Colleagues
- Recovering patients
- Gardeners/plant lovers
Color taboos
- White can signify mourning/funerals in parts of East Asia.
- Deep red may feel too intense for sympathy or formal professional gifts.
- Bright yellow can be read as jealousy in some cultures.
- Avoid overly mixed neon palettes for minimalist recipients.
Card messages
At a glance
Key details
Quick reference for habitat, gifting etiquette, and safety when choosing flowers for different occasions and recipients.
Use this section as a practical checklist: where they grow, how to present them thoughtfully, and what to keep in mind regarding toxicity and sensitivity.
Botanical info
Taxonomy
Kingdom Plantae; Order Asterales; Family Asteraceae; Genus Achillea; Species A. millefolium; Common names: yarrow, common yarrow (cultivars also include A. filipendulina types with yellow blooms).
Distribution
Native across temperate Europe, Asia, and North America; now widespread and naturalized throughout the Northern Hemisphere. Common in meadows, grasslands, roadsides, and open woodlands from sea level to montane elevations.
Conservation
For cut stems: harvest in the cool morning when 70–80% of florets are open. Strip foliage below the waterline, recut stems, and hydrate in clean, cool water with preservative. Change water every 2 days; keep away from heat and direct sun. Vase life ~7–10 days. Heads dry well upside‑down for long‑term display.
Gifting & etiquette
Presentation etiquette
Style in rustic or meadow‑inspired bouquets; strip lower leaves to prevent water fouling. Pair with grasses, lavender, daisies, or statice. Mention its healing symbolism for recovery gifts; avoid gifting to pregnant recipients or homes with pets that nibble. Keep bouquets ventilated—dense heads can trap moisture.
Ideal delivery time
Deliver in the morning when stems are well hydrated. Peak season is late spring through summer; choose stems with most florets open but centers still fresh for longest vase life.
Health & risk
Toxicity
Mildly toxic to pets (cats, dogs, horses) if ingested—may cause vomiting, diarrhea, or drooling. Handling can trigger skin irritation/photosensitivity in sensitive people due to sesquiterpene lactones. Use caution during pregnancy and with anticoagulant medications; avoid ingestion without professional guidance.
Allergenicity
Moderate. Pollen may bother Asteraceae‑sensitive individuals; handling can cause contact dermatitis due to plant compounds. Possible cross‑reactivity with ragweed/chamomile allergies.
Meaning & taboos
Symbolism & color
Named for Achilles in Greek legend, yarrow symbolizes healing and protection. Its tough, ferny foliage and long‑lasting umbels represent resilience and unity. Used historically in herbal medicine and in the Chinese I Ching, it also conveys wisdom and foresight—an apt gift for recovery or new beginnings.
Growing & tools
Care & gear
Growing tips
Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) thrives in full sun and well‑drained, lean soil; drought tolerant once established. Plant or divide in spring, space 12–18 in (30–45 cm). Avoid rich soil and excess fertilizer (causes flopping). Deadhead to extend bloom, cut back after flowering, and divide clumps every 2–3 years. Hardy in USDA Zones 3–9; attracts pollinators and tolerates heat and coastal conditions.
Recommended tools
- Pruning shears
- Hand trowel
- Watering can
- Garden gloves
- Garden fork/weeder
Symbolizes
- Healing
- Courage
- Protection
- Endurance/Resilience
- Wisdom/Divination
- Love and bonding