Plant · P-299

Yarrow

Achillea millefolium

Yarrow is a fast-spreading ground cover whose flowers pull in bees, butterflies, ladybugs and lacewings - the last two hunt aphids, so a patch of yarrow doubles as pest control. Its crushed leaves have long been packed onto cuts to stop bleeding and close a wound, and it also has a documented history of use for colds, fevers and menstrual pain. It runs by both rhizome and self-sown seed and will colonize a bed edge if left alone, but one mower pass before the flowers set seed keeps it contained - and it should stay away from grazing stock, since it is toxic to horses.