Island Pink Yarrow

Now this is a multi-talented perennial. As a fresh cut flower, yarrow’s bright pink blooms last a full week if cut when the tiny flowers are almost fully open. When picked on the young side, the flower heads will flop over rather quickly.

Island Pink Yarrow holds its vibrant color and dries beautifully when cut and hung upside-down in a dark, well-ventilated space. I’ve discovered that the best stage for drying is when the heads are more convex, rather than concave, when viewed from the side.

Since yarrow spreads by rhizomes, it is a much improved choice over a water-wasting lawn and can even handle light foot traffic. When not in bloom, fern-like leaves make an excellent drought tolerant ground cover that doesn’t mind clay soil. It can even be mowed.

Island Pink Yarrow

Found naturally on Santa Cruz Island, this California native is an easy fit for the meadow garden and will send up 1-3′ flat-topped, pink flower clusters that starts its blooming season in the spring, and goes on into the summer months if the spent flowers are removed.  I leave some older dried heads on the plant for fall and winter interest. Birds, butterflies, bees, and other important pollinators are attracted to this multi-use perennial.