Plant of the Month – July
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Moonshine Yarrow
Achillea taygetea ‘Moonshine’
Moonshine Yarrow attracts butterflies but doesn’t interest rabbits. The bright flowers of this drought-tolerant perennial make great, long-lasting dried bouquets.
- Plant Form: Semi-evergreen Perennial
- Water Use: Low
- Mature Size: 1-2 ft. tall & wide
- Exposure: Full Sun
- Bloom Time: Spring – Early Fall (May – Oct)
- Native to: European parents
- Hardiness: Cold hardy to <0°F
Moonshine Yarrow combines some of the best hybrid characteristics of the genus, offering felty, blue-gray, fern-like, aromatic foliage with bright yellow flower heads. The flat-topped flower clusters attract butterflies, and make great bouquets of either fresh-cut or dried flowers. Bitter compounds in the foliage have been used historically for medicine, to reduce wound bleeding, and for flavoring alcoholic beverages, but they also prevent browsing by rabbits and deer. This award-winning garden plant is extremely drought-tolerant when established, and prefers well-drained, sunny sites. If plants get crowded, dig up and divide the plant in spring or fall. Deadhead flowers for prolonged flowering, and cut back to basal foliage in fall to keep the plant tidy. This easy-to-grow perennial works well in borders and beds, butterfly gardens, rock gardens, or massed in the garden.
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