Permaculture Plant: Yarrow

Yarrow Achillea millefolium is a tough, perennial herb with multiple permaculture uses.

It is a low-growing, spreading, rhizomatous plant with fernlike leaves and clusters of small flowers making up a larger composite flower.

In permaculture systems, yarrow is commonly used as an understorey in food forests and orchards. It could also be grown as part of a dedicated herb garden, a pretty but practical perennial flower garden, or incorporated into pastures and poultry systems. It can also be part of a mixed herbal lawn tolerating moderate foot traffic and occasional mowing, though if it is kept low, it will not have the opportunity to flower.