Golden yarrow is a shrub native to the California coastline and the Sierra Nevada foothills. It’s drought tolerant but requires monthly watering to ensure abundant blooms and preserve foliage. It’s a perfect companion to Texas paintbrush.
Golden Yarrow and Texas Paintbrush
Texas paintbrush has brilliant red blooms. The combination of golden yarrow and scarlet Texas paintbrush is a real standout among wild grasses and succulents. Golden yarrow and Texas paintbrush should be planted together for a practical reason: Texas paintbrush needs to feed off the roots of sturdy shrubs like golden yarrow. Both plants grow to about the same height and have complementary blooming seasons. Texas paintbrush blooms in spring. Golden yarrow blooms from early spring through late fall.
Both like a similar soil PH and frequently grow together in the wild. Their watering schedules are similar. Golden yarrow needs watering once a month during the summer, and Texas paintbrush needs twice monthly watering. We’re available for all your irrigation needs, and we’ll ensure that each plant receives just the right amount of water, with no waste.
A Hardy Family Tree
Although it’s a shrub, golden yarrow is a member of the aster family and related to the woolly sunflower. They’re resilient wildflowers that propagate by seed. Even if golden yarrow sheds leaves or has fewer blooms during an intense drought, you can count on it surviving and enhancing your garden year after year.
A Versatile Small Shrub
Golden yarrow grows to slightly over 18 inches. Each stem has a pretty cluster of bright flowers, as many as 30 per stem. The stems are slender but bear the weight of the flowers and have grayish-green, small spiky leaves. When the shrub isn’t flowering, the pale stems and leaves contrast beautifully with darker wild grasses.
In the wild, golden yarrow shrubs grow in irregular clusters. When planning to use golden yarrow in your yard or garden, we recommend it for lining your walkway or accenting your rock garden. The sunny yellow flowers look spectacular against the background of a large boulder.
A Must for the Butterfly Garden
Because golden yarrow has such a long blooming season, it’s perfect for your butterfly garden. It provides food for pollinators at the beginning of the season and the end. Plant it with Texas paintbrush, and you’ll have both butterflies and hummingbirds in your garden.
Soil and Sun
Golden yarrow grows well in most types of soil, including yards with some clay. Although it requires water during the summer, it likes dry soil. We can help you select a place in your yard or garden that has good drainage and a little shade. Unlike many drought tolerant California plants, golden yarrow needs a respite from the sun during the day. It should be planted near trees, taller shrubs or in an area where your house will give it some shade.
Things to Remember:
- Golden yarrow has a long flowering season
- It needs twice monthly watering
- It should have partial shade
If you need help with your garden or landscaping, contact Evergreen Landscaping today at (805) 773-5395.