Achillea millefolium 'Apple Blossom' is a beautiful, spreading perennial yarrow with delicate, fern-like foliage and clusters of soft pink flowers that gradually fade to pale pink and white. Blooming from spring through summer, this low-water plant adds gentle color and texture to native-inspired gardens, borders, meadows, and pollinator landscapes. Drought tolerant once established, it thrives in sunny locations and well-drained soil while attracting bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects.

Quick care: Full sun to part shade • Low water once established • Well-drained soil • Drought tolerant once established. See the Plant Profile and Growing Conditions below for full details.

Plant Profile:

• Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial

• Mature Size: Approximately 18–27 inches tall and 18–24 inches wide

• Native Range: Achillea millefolium is native to California and other regions of the Northern Hemisphere; 'Apple Blossom' is a cultivated ornamental selection

• Flower Color: Soft pink, fading to pale pink and white

• Bloom Time: Spring through summer, with potential for reblooming

• Foliage: Finely divided, fern-like green to gray-green leaves

• Growth Habit: Low, spreading mound with upright flowering stems

Growing Conditions:

• Sun: Full sun to part shade; best flowering in full sun

• Water: Low — drought tolerant once established

• Soil: Well-drained soil; tolerates sandy, rocky, and clay soils with adequate drainage

• USDA Zones: Approximately 3–9, depending on local conditions

• Drought Tolerant: Yes — once established

• Maintenance: Low; remove faded flower heads to encourage additional blooms and trim back after flowering as needed

Planting Instructions:

• Best Planting Time: Fall through spring in California, when temperatures are mild

• Spacing: Plant approximately 18–24 inches apart, allowing room for spreading

• Planting Depth: Dig a hole as deep as the root ball and about twice as wide. Set the plant with the crown level with the surrounding soil

• Establishment Water: Water thoroughly after planting. Water deeply and regularly during the establishment period, adjusting frequency for temperature, rainfall, and soil drainage

• Long-Term Care: Gradually reduce watering as the plant establishes. Once established, water sparingly according to local conditions. Remove spent flowers to encourage reblooming and divide spreading clumps when needed to control growth

Wildlife and Pollinators:

• Attracts: Native bees, honeybees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects

• Pollinator Value: The flat clusters of small flowers provide an accessible source of nectar and pollen for visiting insects

• Deer Resistant: Generally resistant, although deer may browse when other food is scarce

• Garden Benefits: Excellent for pollinator gardens, perennial borders, meadow-style plantings, and low-water landscapes

• Notable: Its soft pink blooms and delicate foliage create a lovely contrast with California native grasses and other flowering perennials. Yarrow spreads through underground stems, so allow room for growth or divide periodically to keep it within bounds.