Achillea millefolium 'Appleblossom' (Yarrow)

Water your new plantings daily for two weeks until they are established. After the planting is established, it can be watered every 2-3 days, depending on how well-draining the soil type is. You should apply water at the base of the plant. Thoroughly soak the soil up to 8" so that roots are encouraged to grow for drought tolerance. It is recommended to use a soaker hose or a watering can to help avoid disturbing the soil. Avoid watering the foliage. If the foliage gets wet, this can encourage diseases or mold. If you have to get the foliage wet, it's best to water your plants in the morning so they have time to dry throughout the day.

As with most perennials, plant anytime from spring to fall. To start, prepare your garden bed by loosing up existing soil about 12-16" (30-40cm) in depth. Add a slow-release fertilizer and organic material such as compost or peat moss to the soil. Organic materials help improve soil drainage, give nutrients to the plants, and encourage organisms to keep the soil healthy. Plan the spacing of your plants before planting them into the ground. You can do this by placing plants in the general area you expect them to be. Use the suggested spacing on the label. Consider placing taller plants in the background or center of your design. For each plant, create a hole two times wider than the root ball and deep enough so that the plant remains at ground level. Before placing the plant in the hole, lightly shake loose the roots to encourage growth. Place the plant in the hole and push the soil into the hole around the roots. Refrain from packing dirt too tightly so that roots can move more freely. Tamp the top of the soil so that the soil is level with its surrounding soil. Ensure that the plant is stable before adding mulch. Add a 2' layer of mulch to reduce weeds and retain soil moisture.

Only prune during the plant’s growing season to stimulate growth. Do not prune plants after September 1st. Late pruning could cause damage to new growth when the first frost arrives. Snip off blooms to encourage growth and improve flowers’ appearance. Prune foliage to remove damaged leaves or to maintain the plants’ shape. Every 3-4 years perennials should be dug up and divided to encourage new growth. The extra perennials can be used to expand your garden or to share with friends.

When installing new plants, add recommended fertilizer to the soil bed. Once a plant has been established, feed it in early spring and halfway through its growing season. Adding fertilizer late in the growing season creates new growth that early frosts can easily damage.