Northern Gooseberry vs Yarrow - TreeTime.ca

Northern Gooseberry vs Yarrow

Ribes oxyacanthoides

Achillea borealis (Previously Achillea millefolium)

COMING SOON

(new stock expected: later this season)

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON

(new stock expected: fall of 2026)

Northern Gooseberry
Yarrow

Northern Gooseberry is a small, ornamental quality native shrub with prickly stems. You can plant it anywhere you'd plant Prickly Rose or Common Wild Rose, such as your yard.

Most people find Northern Gooseberry berries a bit tart for significant fresh eating but they are good for baking, wine or jam.

Yarrow is a herbaceous, native wildflower that is found across Canada. It features large, flat clusters of tiny white flowers. The blooms attract a variety of pollinators, making it an ideal choice for pollinator gardens. While partial shade is tolerated, the best flowering occurs in full sun. Yarrow is resistant to deer and rabbits, making it both a beautiful and practical addition to your landscape.

The entire plant is edible, but leaves and flowers are most commonly consumed. They have a strong licorice scent and a mild sweet flavor that is similar to tarragon. Yarrow leaves can also be used as a natural insect repellent.

It is important to plant Yarrow in the right place, it can spread quickly via both rhizomes and self-seeding. Deadheading the spent flowers will extend the bloom season and can help limit self-seeding.

Northern Gooseberry Quick Facts

Yarrow Quick Facts

Zone: 1a
Zone: 3a
Height: 0.9 m (3 ft)
Height: 0.3 m (1.0 ft)
Spread: 0.9 m (3 ft)
Spread: 0.9 m (3 ft)
Moisture: normal, wet
Moisture: dry, normal
Light: any
Light: partial shade, full sun
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no
Berries: purple or purplish black
Flowers: clusters of white flowers
Growth rate: fast
Growth rate: fast
Life span: short
Life span: short
Suckering: none
Suckering: none




Toxicity: toxic to dogs, cats, and horses
Other Names: canada gooseberry, canadian gooseberry
Other Names: common yarrow, devils nettle, milfoil, western yarrow, white yarrow