Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) is a widely cultivated, sun-loving perennial known for its fine, fern-like foliage and exceptional hardiness across various climates. The plant forms dense mats of leaves from which rise sturdy stems topped with broad, flat-topped flower clusters, known botanically as corymbs. Yarrow has been valued historically for its medicinal properties and is now primarily a reliable, long-blooming addition to garden beds. Its popularity in modern gardening is largely due to the extensive range of colors now available in these compact flower heads.
The Original Palette: Native Yarrow Colors
The foundational color of yarrow, as it appears in the wild across its native range, is generally white. These species plants produce numerous tiny florets clustered tightly together, resulting in a creamy, often brilliant white display. The ray flowers, or petals, are typically white, sometimes surrounding a small, pale yellow or cream-colored disc floret at the center of each miniature flower. This limited palette established the genetic base from which all subsequent, more colorful varieties were developed.
Expanding the Spectrum: Cultivar Colors
Modern breeding efforts have significantly expanded the color spectrum far beyond the original white, creating intense and diverse options for gardeners. These hybridized cultivars now offer shades of red, orange, pink, and vibrant yellow not found in the wild. Deep reds are available in varieties like ‘Red Velvet’ or ‘Paprika’, providing a rich, saturated hue that holds well in sunlight.
The orange range features colors from soft salmon to burnt terracotta, exemplified by cultivars such as ‘Terracotta’ and ‘Walther Funcke’. Pinks span from delicate pastels to electric, magenta tones, with selections like ‘Cerise Queen’. Yellows are also well-represented, ranging from the buttery-yellow of ‘Moonshine’ to the deep, golden-mustard of ‘Coronation Gold’, which often features silvery-gray foliage. These bred varieties are the source of nearly all the intense, named colors found in garden centers.
Color Dynamics: Understanding Fading and Variation
Yarrow flowers undergo a noticeable color transition as they mature, a natural part of their bloom cycle. Cultivars that start with bright, saturated colors, particularly reds, oranges, and deep pinks, will gradually lighten over several weeks. For instance, a vibrant cherry-red flower may soften to a muted rose or dusty pink before finally drying to a creamy white or beige.
This color shift is directly influenced by the flower’s age and prolonged exposure to sunlight. The change provides a multi-toned effect on the plant, where new, brightly colored blooms contrast with older, faded flower heads. This visual evolution should be anticipated, as the initial intense color will not persist throughout the entire summer. The tendency of some cultivars to revert to the native white form is also a possibility, especially if the plant is allowed to self-seed and cross-pollinate.