Integrated Pest Management
Common Yarrow
Achillea millefolium
Description
- low-growing plant with soft, feather-shaped leaves and upright flower stalks
- umbrella-shaped flower clusters contain five ray flowers surrounded by 10 to 20 disk flowers
- plants produce rhizomes (underground stems)
Location
- commonly grows in lawn areas but may also invade adjacent planting beds
Life Cycle
- spreading herbaceous perennial with flower production from mid-summer to early fall
- seeds mature by mid-autumn and are immediately able to germinate, particularly if temperatures are between 65-75°F
- flower stalks dry and leaves are dormant in winter months
- rhizomes resume growth in spring
IPM Recommendations
- Effective control must target both aboveground and underground plant structures.
- Frequently hand-pull aboveground structures prior to seed maturation to prevent re-seeding; mechanical removal of aboveground foliage will not kill underground plant parts.
- Manually remove underground structures to prevent re-sprouting.
- Spot treat foliage with appropriate post-emergent systemic herbicide when plants are actively growing. More than one herbicide application may be necessary to kill all spreading structures.