Achillea millefolium ‘Paprika’
Family: Compositae
Common names: MILFOIL, YARROW
Native to: Europe To Western Asia
Sentiment: cure for a broken heart
Plant
Type: perennial
Forms: clumping, erect, open form
Leaves evergreen
Max height: 2 feet
Max width: 2 feet
Flower
pink, red, secondary color present
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
Plant features: evergreen, invasive
Exposure: sun
Landscape uses: container, cut flower, dried flower
Invasive
Propagates by: division, seed
flowers in fall
flowers in summer
Soil type: wide range
USDA Zone: zone 9 to +20 f
Temp. range: +20 to +30 °F
Water: drought tolerant
Butterflies that feed on this plant
Achillea millefolium 'Paprika', is a drought tolerant evergreen perennial, grows to 2 feet tall, and flowers in summer and fall. It is shorter than the parent plant and the blooms are a lighter shade of red. it may also thrive in zones 3-10, although it is only known to survive in Zones 9 and 10. As with A. millefolium may be invasive. It can be grown in a container.
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 or MILFOIL, 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.
According to the USDA “common yarrow is a weedy species and can become invasive. Proper care should be used to control the spread of the plant from its desired growing location.” Its invasive attribute may contribute to it being beneficial to wildlife. It is claimed the cultivars are less invasive. You may want to check how A. millefolium behaves in your region before purchasing a variant.
Bird species attracted to the plant - to feed on insects and seeds - include flycatcher, jay, martin, oriole, phoebe swallow, sparrow, swift.
This plant can be grown in a container and will attract and feed adult butterflies. These plant can be found in every height range – from tiny to large – from less than a foot high to over 10 feet tall.
Our database of nectar plants for all US butterflies contains over 10,000 entries. The top five nectar plants -- Cirsium, Lantana, Asclepias, Salvia, and Verbena -- will appeal to 90% of all US butterflies. Pick from these if you want to provide nectar for your local butterflies.
Once you start with these, you can add from another 630 genera in 110 plant families to attract more insects to your garden.
By far the most import butterfly nectar plant family is Asteraceae. If you grow plants in from this family, butterflies will find your garden.