How does second year yarrow (Achillea) perform?

Perhaps my FAVORITE spring plant, sometimes I wonder why I even bother growing anything else. I should just become a yarrow farm. Yarrow is one of the most hardy perennials, going down to zone 2 and all the way up to zone 10! It is also a native in much of North America and all of these points make them worthy of growing. I had quite a great first flush but... I was in for a real surprise and treat in year 2!
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[@monicahennessy5648]

Loving these 2nd year videos! I had a question you answered in the last few minutes about flopping, wonky stems. I knew not to overwater it. I have it in a sunny spot. But I think I dropped the ball on the corralling! I attempted to prop it up, but it was too late. The stems get woody at the base and then permanently curved. Actually, I made this mistake on a few different crops. I am trying to get better about supporting my flowers earlier in the season, but you always think you have more time. Maybe a video in the future about supporting techniques would be helpful. I also think I need to cut them back, divide them, etc. They certainly can get away from you.

[@bareflowerfarm]

For sure. I am in the same boat. This year, nearly all the Persian cress I started failed bc I didn’t support. I am going to take the next couple of Weeks easy and plan on doing maintenance including staking my tomatoes and dahlias!

[@rachelw.1438]

Love this video! The information that you shared is exactly what I was looking for! Some flowers just don't have enough information readlily available about them. Thank you for sharing!

[@bareflowerfarm]

Yesss you totally get where I'm coming from! I know the knowledge exists but it's all in people's heads so hopefully more people start sharing this because my experience is only my experience!

[@Wyldheatherfarm]

Such great info. I just pulled a couple of 3rd year yarrow plants out today because they split making the blooms all wonky and the color changed to a dull very light pink. Thanks for another great video!

[@bareflowerfarm]

Ah thank you!! Exactly the info I was looking for. I plan to aggressively divide this season to see if that helps stabilize the color and prevent the plant from splitting! Appreciate you sharing!

[@nancylamontagne6667]

Another informative video. Yarrow grows wild here maybe 15-18”. In the garden it grew well over 3’. Keep starting colors from seed hoping, but the usual drop a tray, goats, oops thought that was wild when I weeded it happened.

[@bareflowerfarm]

Thank you! Time to try self seeding in the late summer to see if that works! :)

[@violetraton8731]

i love watching your educational videos on how to plant and maintain them. I particularly love to watch flower farmers that start from scratch... keep up the good work. I saw your video with your husband and your daughter.

[@bareflowerfarm]

Thank you! I appreciate this ♥️

[@michellebeatty7899]

Great video! My second year yarrow is bonkers - at least 3’ if not taller. Def planting more varieties next year!

[@bareflowerfarm]

Yes! You we are both feeling the same happiness with yarrow right now! 🤗

[@gr8gardn]

Outstanding!

[@bareflowerfarm]

Thank you!

[@cbak1819]

Well done! Great tips on dividing and being patient and reaping the benefits for a few years. Thanks very much.

[@bareflowerfarm]

Thank you!

[@margarethairsine8648]

Great content as usual! I too have some 3rd year Yarrow and I love it! The 1st year I planted it...being a total rookie, I planted small plugs I started from seed without much hope for them. It didn't do much 1st year and I just assumed user error. Was I ever surprised with the large flush I got the following Spring! I am hoping to step up my perennials that bloom at the same time.

[@bareflowerfarm]

Thank you! Don't you just love an underdog? This time of year, the mountain mint is now coming in so the bouquets look SO good with the yarrow, sea holly, mint and lilies- all perennials. I add a stem or 2 of bells of ireland and the bouquets are 🤌🏼

[@mhubertcfi]

I think if you always thin half and move it around the farm you will become a farmer specializing in yarrow naturally!😂. Interestingly mine is maturing by color. The reddish pink first, then the bright pink and finally the orange which has been fun. My Pearl yarrow was way too short first year as well. I started some Love Parade this year because all I had was bright previously. It’s really important for me because I live in an arid area and am trying to landscape with water wise plants but this could probably be said for most places. I started moving it around my fenceline to grow as a natural fence and hopefully eventually keep the weeds down there. Probably two years before the clumps get that thick though. Seems to hold well in the refrigerator if you are waiting to sell although maybe not a fridge-worthy crop compared to to others

[@bareflowerfarm]

Lol, I have so much to divide that it's not actually crazy for that to become a reality! I do find that the maturity differs by color. My whites and apricot actually coming in first! I actually have not put them in the fridge- I harvest anywhere from 2-3 days in advance and keep them in my basement. they're such a long vase life flower that I feel like retail customers would still get over a week even with that conditioning on my end!

[@BBDD.]

Literally just sat down to take a break from working in the garden this morning and you drop a new video! 💚 Can you see me? 😂

[@bareflowerfarm]

Lol!! Well, could you be harvesting yarrow? Cause if you are then I’ll be damned 😂

[@BBDD.]

@@bareflowerfarm 😂 I’m not! We have yarrow that grows naturally in our meadow here in East TN, but I am headed to my browser now to order mixed varieties to put in my perennial garden thanks to you! I tossed back and forth with sowing yarrow this year and decided to go with carnations to get them going and established for next years harvest.

[@bareflowerfarm]

Aww yay!! Well honestly you can’t go wrong with carnations. Are you growing French heirloom types???

[@BBDD.]

@@bareflowerfarm I AM!! 🤭

[@bareflowerfarm]

Ohlala!! I am thinking of planting those too 😅

[@DianeMorissette]

What do you do about the fact that they are prickly in bouquets? Thanks and great video!

[@bareflowerfarm]

Nothing! I don't use a ton so even though it's prickly, it's not terrible!

[@erperry2013]

have you figured out if you can take cuttings/divide favourite colors into new plants or are you still going to get the tired color fade thing happening? i have some awesome new colors this year from seed and i want to propagate them!

[@bareflowerfarm]

I am nearly sure that if you divide, your new plants will maintain the same color and the old plants have a higher likelihood of keeping the same color too! I am doing it again and year 3 will be the true test! But in year 2, that's how I got all of my vibrant colors to stay!

[@blessildajoy]

Is it the variety or growing environment, my golden yarrow are 5ft tall? Planting mixed variety this season to expand my color pallette.

[@bareflowerfarm]

Hmm I think it could be variety but also maturity! Established yarrow is definitely way taller!

[@blessildajoy]

@@bareflowerfarm OK, my yarrow is 4 yrs old. 😊