Meadowsweet vs Yarrow - TreeTime.ca

Meadowsweet vs Yarrow

Filipendula ulmaria

Achillea borealis (Previously Achillea millefolium)

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Meadowsweet
Yarrow

Meadowsweet gets its name from its sweet fragrance from the creamy white flowers. It is a large upright herbaceous perennial shrub. They bloom in early summer, and with the right conditions may remain throughout the season.

Take care of where you’re planting Meadowsweet as it is known to spread.

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.

Meadowsweet Quick Facts

Yarrow Quick Facts

Zone: 3a
Zone: 3a
Height: 1.2 m (4 ft)
Height: 0.3 m (1.0 ft)
Spread: 0.3 m (1.0 ft)
Spread: 0.9 m (3 ft)
Moisture: normal, wet
Moisture: dry, normal
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: partial shade, full sun
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no
Flowers: white
Flowers: clusters of white flowers
Growth rate: fast
Growth rate: fast
Life span: short
Life span: short
Suckering: low
Suckering: none




Toxicity: toxic to dogs, cats, and horses
Other Names: bride wort, mead wort
Other Names: common yarrow, devils nettle, milfoil, western yarrow, white yarrow