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A bright decoration for dry and waterless areas is meadowsweet yarrow. The ornamental plant takes root even in the most problematic areas. Rocky and clayey slopes, pebbles, mixed borders, borders - unpretentious golden-yellow flowers will delight the eye throughout the summer.
History of origin
There are several versions of the origin of the name of the plant. According to one of them, “Achilla” (the Latin name for yarrow) is a derivative of the name of Achilles, who used it to treat wounded soldiers. According to another, this is a translation from the Greek words “achillos” - generous or “khilion” - thousand, which is explained by repeated dissection of the leaves of the plant. The third version talks about Latin origin. Literally translated, “mille” means a thousand, “folium” means a leaf.
The official scientific name of the plant is Achillea millefolium. The first mention of yarrow dates back to the Middle Paleolithic - about 40,000 years ago.There are many legends about its healing properties: from the biblical legend of St. Joseph to the warlike customs of A. Suvorov.
The meadowsweet variety has been cultivated since 1742. The subspecies was scientifically described and included in the general classification in 1753 by the Swedish naturalist Carl Linnaeus.
The plant is recognized as an official medicinal raw material in a number of European countries: Sweden, the Netherlands, Austria, Russia
Description of meadowsweet yarrow
Meadowsweet yarrow is part of the extensive botanical genus Compositae or Asteraceae. In total, the family has about 100 species. Under natural conditions it grows in the forest-steppe and meadow zones of Europe and Asia. Meadowsweet yarrow is a herbaceous perennial that forms powerful bushes up to 120 cm in height.
Yarrow meadowsweet - decorative, medicinal and spicy crop
Stems
The plant is considered the tallest in its family. The stems of the meadowsweet variety reach a height of 1-1.2 m, their average size is 60-80 cm. Erect, single or forked, less often - ascending, sinuous. They have a rounded cut, angular-furrowed shape. Closer to the root collar, the plant stems become woody.
The stems of yarrow meadowsweet are quite rigid, have light white pubescence, and are slightly branched in the upper part.
Leaves
The leaves of the meadowsweet variety are narrow and elongated: the average length is 10-15 cm, width is 0.5-3 cm. The shape is openwork, pinnately divided. The leaves of the plant are repeatedly dissected into small segments. Arranged alternately. There are oil glands on the underside of the plates.
The leaves of the meadowsweet yarrow visually resemble the feathers or greenery of a fern.
Flowers
The difference between the meadowsweet species is its golden color.The flowers are small and lush. Collected in numerous flat inflorescences-baskets, the diameter of which does not exceed 15 cm. Each inflorescence is surrounded by small crowded leaves - involucres. They have an oblong ovoid shape, a smooth or slightly pubescent surface. The length of one is 3-4 mm.
Meadowsweet yarrow flowers bloom in early summer, flowering can last until the first frost
Root system
Type – branched, shape – superficial. The rhizome of the meadowsweet species is thick and creeping. Consists of multiple fibrous processes and thin underground shoots. A leaf rosette emerges from the root of the plant, followed by flowering shoots.
The root system of a plant can grow rapidly and suppress the development of neighboring crops
Seeds
The fruits of the meadowsweet yarrow are flat achenes. Ripen by the end of August, mid-September. These are elongated, weightless capsules: the weight of a thousand seeds is no more than 0.15 g. The seeds themselves are elongated, do not have a tuft, and germination persists for 3-4 years.
After ripening, the seeds are scattered throughout the area; to prevent uncontrolled growth, the ripe achenes of the plant are torn off
Varieties
As a result of breeding work, new varieties of perennials were developed. This made it possible to increase the vitality and endurance of the plant and improve its decorative properties. But it was not possible to diversify the shade of the flowers; their color invariably remains yellow.
Yarrow meadowsweet Parkers Parity (Parkers variet) is a variety with loose bushes and gray-green leaves. The shoots of the plant are long and strong, the average height is 120 cm. The inflorescences are bright yellow, the baskets are corymbose and flat.
Parkers Parity flowers perfectly decorate natural gardens and summer cottages
Coronation Gold (Coronation Gold).Feature: compact upright bushes. The height of the shoots does not exceed 80 cm. The flat inflorescences are colored yellow-hot, their size is 10-11 cm.
To ensure lush flowering, it is advisable to cover Coronation Gold bushes for the winter.
Schwellenburg (Schwellenburg) is a low-growing variety of meadowsweet yarrow. The stems reach a height of 60 cm. The variety has leafy shoots, which, in combination with bright yellow flowers, gives the plant an elegant and lush appearance.
The yarrow variety Schwellenburg grows well in one place for up to five years, then the plant needs to be replanted
Meadowsweet yarrow Gold Medison is a medium-growing perennial. The height of an adult plant varies from 60 to 80 cm. The meadowsweet subspecies forms small yellow-hot inflorescences.
Meadowsweet variety Maddison looks great in single and group plantings
Advantages and disadvantages
The numerous advantages of the meadowsweet variety explain its popularity among amateur summer residents and professional agronomists. But the plant also has some disadvantages that you should pay attention to.
The meadowsweet variety of yarrow is undemanding and unpretentious in terms of care
Advantages:
- quick and easy reproduction;
- drought and frost resistance;
- natural immunity;
- long flowering period;
- recognized medicinal properties;
- active use in the field of landscape design.
Flaws:
- strong growth of roots and possible invasion of neighboring territories;
- the need for regular pruning;
- rarity of some varieties;
- annual rejuvenation of plant bushes.
Planting meadowsweet yarrow
The timing of planting yarrow meadowsweet depends on the region.In the southern regions, seedlings are sown at the end of winter, and planted in open ground in early April. In the conditions of the middle zone, it is advisable to start the procedure in the second half of March, and move the seedlings to a permanent place in the first ten days of June.
Plant seedlings are grown in containers or boxes. It is recommended to make the soil mixture yourself from universal soil, river sand and vermiculite in a ratio of 3:1:1.
Landing algorithm:
- Pour the prepared mixture into a container. Leave 2-3 cm to the edge. Level the soil and lightly moisten it. Place the seeds of the yarrow meadowsweet at a distance of 3 cm from each other.
- Sprinkle a layer of soil mixture on top (1.5-2 cm). Additionally, moisten the planting with warm water.
- Cover the container with film, lid or glass. Place in a warm place.
Before the first shoots appear, provide a temperature of 23-25 °C. After the indicators are reduced to 16-18 °C, remove the film or lid from the container. Daylight hours for seedlings should not be less than 12 hours. After the appearance of two full-fledged leaves, the seedlings are picked.
Algorithm for planting seedlings of yarrow meadowsweet in a permanent place.
- Preliminary preparation of the site - digging, removing weeds, adding ash (200 g per 1 sq. m). Digging holes. Depth – 10 cm, interval – 35 cm.
- Removing seedlings. It is important not to damage the integrity of the earthen coma. Next, the seedling is placed in the center of the hole.
- Sprinkle with soil and compact. Watering is carried out.
Caring for meadowsweet yarrow
To improve the decorative qualities of the plant, it is important to follow simple agrotechnical rules:
Watering | Required only in dry summers. Frequency – 1-2 times a week. |
Weeding, loosening | Procedures are necessary to ensure air access to the roots. Carry out after each watering. |
Fertilizers | Three feedings per season are enough. At the beginning of the yarrow growing season - add ammonium nitrate, before flowering - nitroammophoska, before wintering - superphosphate. During the period of active flowering, you can additionally add mineral compositions: Nutrisol, Ferti Mix and analogues. |
Trimming | Fading inflorescences must be pruned. This helps prevent uncontrolled self-seeding. Before wintering, yarrow stems are cut to 10-15 cm. |
Shelter | The plant belongs to level 4 frost resistance: can withstand temperatures down to -30 °C. Most meadowsweet varieties do not require shelter for the winter. |
Pest and disease control
If the rules of agricultural technology are not followed, the natural immunity of the plant decreases. The main causes of diseases are non-compliance with the watering schedule and waterlogging of the soil, planting perennials in deep shade.
Yarrow is most often affected by gray rot or powdery mildew, the causative agent of which is fungi.
Powdery mildew is characterized by the appearance of cobwebs. Yarrow leaves wither, curl, and fall off. Drops remain on the stems and flowers.When affected by gray rot, parts of the plant become covered with rapidly growing brown spots. Later, a fluffy gray coating appears on them. Gradually, rot covers all the greenery.
To eliminate symptoms, it is optimal to treat yarrow with meadowsweet chemicals - Topaz, Skorom
The leaves and flowers of the plant attract some pests. These are nematodes, aphids or weevils. Parasites gnaw at the roots of yarrow and feed on plant juices. The fight against them consists of spraying with special means. Actellik, Tanrek, Confidor, Fufanon, Zeon have a proven effect.
Reproduction methods
Meadowsweet yarrow is easy not only to grow, but also to breed. Three methods are available - seed, cuttings and dividing the bush. The first is considered more rare due to its time costs. Seeds of the meadowsweet variety have a high level of photosensitivity; for their germination, a stable temperature regime must be ensured. You need to wait at least 14 days for sprouts to appear.
Vegetative propagation is much easier. Dividing the bush renews the plant and makes it possible to quickly plant yarrow around the site.
It is necessary to dig up an adult bush (from three years old) and remove it from the ground. Gently shake the earthen ball and divide the roots into parts. Plant new plants in a permanent place.
The cutting method is carried out directly in open ground. Green, healthy stems of meadowsweet yarrow are cut to 10-12 cm. The resulting cutting should have 3-4 good buds. Next, the shoot is dipped into a solution with growth stimulants for better root formation. Place in moist soil (in a greenhouse or pot).
After the formation of a full-fledged root system, meadowsweet yarrow is planted in a permanent place
Methods of application
Tall meadowsweet yarrow is a real find for decorating a site. The plant is actively used in landscape design. The perennial adorns single and group plantings and grows into a natural decorative hedge.
Yellow yarrow flowers will create a contrasting composition and add bright colors to the garden
Another area of application is folk and official medicine. Yarrow flowers and stems have medicinal properties. Decoctions, extracts and infusions have an antimicrobial, soothing, wound-healing effect.
Essential oils and seasonings are also made from the green parts of the plant.
Conclusion
Meadowsweet yarrow is a tall perennial plant with decorative and medicinal properties. Golden inflorescences will decorate any area and will delight you with bright colors every year. Yarrow is undemanding and unpretentious, has good natural immunity and high winter hardiness. Easily and quickly propagated by cuttings or dividing the bush. At the same time, it is important to limit the growth of the plant in a timely manner so that the yarrow seedlings do not occupy the entire neighboring territory.
