Tongue-leafed yarrow: complete guide

Overview

The tongue-leafed yarrow (Achillea lingulata) is an elegant alpine plant native to the mountain regions of the Balkans to Ukraine. This member of the Asteraceae family is an adaptable perennial known for its delicate, finely-cut foliage and bright yellow flowers.

In its natural habitat, this plant grows on rocky mountain slopes at elevations of 500 to 1,500 meters, adapting to poor soil and mountain winds. This origin makes it an excellent choice for rock gardens and alpine greenhouses.

Appearance and Bloom

The tongue-leafed yarrow forms a compact, stiff plant, usually 20-40 cm tall. The leaves are very characteristic: extremely finely-cut with a bright, vibrant green color. This gives the plant a very decorative, feathery texture.

The flowers appear in irregular clustered umbels atop the stems. The flowers are bright yellow in color and highly decorative. Individual flowers are small, about 2-3 mm in diameter, but grouped in large clusters for a striking visual effect.

The blooming period extends from June to August, with peak bloom in mid-summer. The plant continues producing flowers if spent flowers are removed.

Ideal Location

The tongue-leafed yarrow thrives best in full sun with at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily. This ensures maximum flowers and compact growth. The plant tolerates light shade, but blooming may be less abundant.

Place this plant in gravel beds, rock gardens, or alpine greenhouses. The plant tolerates windy locations well and grows well on slopes and raised beds where drainage is optimal.

Soil

The tongue-leafed yarrow grows well in very draining soils. This is essential for preventing root rot, a common problem with alpine plants. Use a mixture of garden soil with coarse sand and gravel (approximately 50% gravel).

The plant tolerates poor soil well. Do not add much organic matter. A low pH (acidic) is recommended.

Watering

The tongue-leafed yarrow is moderately drought-tolerant once established. Water regularly during the growing season, but ensure the soil never becomes waterlogged. Check moisture levels monthly.

During dry periods, water weekly. In rainy seasons, little additional water is needed.

Pruning

Regularly remove spent flowers to encourage continued blooming and maintain compact growth. After blooming (September), cut stems close to the ground.

In spring, remove dead or damaged parts.

Maintenance Calendar

March-April: Clean dead parts from last year. Begin watering. May-August: Regularly remove spent flowers. Water weekly in dry periods. September-October: Plant goes dormant. Cut stems. November-February: Minimal care. Protection against extreme frost if needed.

Winter Hardiness

The tongue-leafed yarrow is very winter-hardy and can tolerate temperatures down to -15 degrees Celsius. In most parts of Europe, the plant grows without additional winter protection. In very harsh climates, protection with a roof may help.

Companion Plants

The tongue-leafed yarrow combines well with other alpine plants such as: edelweiss, saxifrages, alpine phlox, mountain thyme, and lavender.

Also pair with gravel-loving plants like sedums and sempervivums for an authentic alpine garden.

Conclusion

The tongue-leafed yarrow is a beautiful small jewel for alpine gardens. With its fine foliage and yellow flowers, this plant delivers long-lasting bloom from June to August. Build an alpine garden with this plant and its relatives.

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