Harvesting Yarrow

Harvesting yarrow is fun and easy to do. Yarrow is a sturdy, popular, and easy perennial to dry. It has large, flat heads of distinctive yellow flowers that have a pungent fragrance. I must admit that yarrow has become one of my favorite flowers to dry for making dried wreaths and flower arrangements.

I call this type of flower an everlasting because when you dry them, they look just the same as when they are in bloom in your garden.

The types of yarrow that are best for drying include 'Moonshine' and 'Carnation Gold'.

Avoid the dwarf white A. ptaramica, also know as 'The Pearl', because its flower structure is too tiny.

When To Harvest Yarrow For Drying

Sometimes I will water them the day before to be sure they are nice and sturdy before I pick them.

The blossoms mature quickly, so check daily.

Pick when the yellow florets are fully open. If they are not open, they will droop and not dry well.

How to Dry Yarrow

Although I have done this after they have dried, I have never done it before drying them. It sounds like a good idea, but not completely necessary.

Yarrow is so easy to dry, all you need to do is strip the leaves off and gather 5 to 7 stems into bunches. It's best to stagger the flowers to avoid damaging the shape of each head.

For a more open head, dry the stems upright in a vase with an inch of water that is allowed to evaporate.

Hang in a dry place with good air circulation.

Pastel yarrows such as A. millefolium, 'Cerise Queen' and 'Summer Pastels' are best to dry in selica gel in order to retain their color.

Drying Time is three weeks.

Harvesting yarrow is fun. Give it a try!