Achillea alpina
Family: Asteraceae
Common names: MILFOIL, YARROW
Synonym: Achillea sibirica
Native to: Eastern Russia, Eastern Siberia
Sentiment: cure for a broken heart
Plant
Type: perennial
Forms: clumping, erect
Max height: 2.5 feet
Max width: 2 feet
Flower
white/off white
Leaf
green
Horticulture
Attracts wildlife: adult butterfly, beneficial insects, bird, specific butterfly species
Bird species attracted to plant: flycatcher, jay, martin, oriole, phoebe swallow, sparrow, swift
Plant part consumed by birds: insects, seeds
Exposure: sun
Propagates by: division, seed
flowers in summer
Soil type: wide range
USDA Zones: zone 3 -40 f, zone 4 -30 f, zone 5 to -20 f, zone 6 to -10 f, zone 7 to 0 f, zone 8 to +10 f, zone 9 to +20 f
Temp. range: -40 to +30 °F
Water: drought tolerant
Butterflies that feed on this plant
Achillea alpina, a drought tolerant perennial, grows to 2 1/2 feet tall, and produces off white flowers in summer.
This plant is attractive to a long list of adult butterflies as well as beneficial insects and birds.
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Achillea, also known as YARROW, is a drought tolerant member of the Asteraceae family. There are 184 species of YARROW of which ten are perennials that range in height from one to three feet and grow in Zones 3 -10. Over a dozen cultivated Achillea are in this database –all are drought tolerant perennials that range in height from 1 foot to 3 feet tall. Achillea ptarmica, grows to 5 feet tall.
Achillea attract a long list of specific butterflies and is a worthy addition to a wildlife friendly garden. Sightings support that Achillea millefolium attract the most diverse butterfly species but these sightings may be due to the popularity or availability of the plant, rather than proof that other cultivated YARROW species are less attractive to a broad range of butterflies.
Bird species attracted to the plant - to feed on insects and seeds - include flycatcher, jay, martin, oriole, phoebe swallow, sparrow, swift.
