pruning yarrow

Common Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) is a popular choice for native gardeners throughout California and for good reason. They thrive in a range of soils, require little water, and their beautiful blooms attract all kinds of pollinators (and maybe even some compliments from the neighbors). To keep yarrows looking fresh and green, they need a hard winter prune. This can feel scary, but don’t be afraid because they respond excellently to a hard reset. Cutting the plant down to two or three inches from the ground makes way for new growth and prevents a build up of dead leaves and stems. Your plants will be back to beautiful in a matter of weeks.

To prune your yarrow, peak under the mature foliage and check if new growth is occurring a few inches from the ground. If it is, take a pair of sharp, clean pruners and cut off all of the old foliage to expose the fresh growth underneath. If you don’t see any fresh growth you can either wait until early spring, or you can go ahead and cut your plant back knowing it may take a little bit longer to put on fresh growth. Your garden awaits!