Trimming a common yarrow plant is a simple task that can help promote healthy growth and maintain a tidy appearance. Here are some steps to follow when trimming your yarrow:
1. Timing: The best time to trim yarrow is in early spring or late fall. Avoid trimming during the peak growing season, as this can disrupt blooming and potentially weaken the plant.
2. Tools: Use clean, sharp pruning shears or scissors to trim your yarrow. This will ensure a clean cut and minimize the risk of disease transmission.
3. Removing spent flowers: As yarrow blooms, the flowers will eventually fade and die. To encourage continuous blooming, it’s important to remove these spent flowers. Simply snip off the faded blooms at the base of the stem.
4. Cutting back foliage: If your yarrow has become leggy or overgrown, you can trim back the foliage to promote a more compact and bushy growth habit. Cut back the stems to about 1/3 of their original height. This will encourage new growth and help maintain a tidy appearance.
5. Deadheading: Deadheading is the process of removing dead or dying flower heads. This not only improves the plant’s appearance, but also redirects energy towards new growth and blooming. To deadhead yarrow, simply trim the flower stalks back to just above a healthy leaf or bud.
6. Division: Over time, yarrow plants can become crowded and benefit from division. This is typically done in early spring or fall. Carefully dig up the entire plant, separate the clumps into smaller sections, and replant them in well-prepared soil. This will help rejuvenate the plant and promote healthier growth.
7. Clean up: After trimming, be sure to clean up any debris or fallen leaves around your yarrow plants. This will help prevent the spread of diseases and pests.
Remember, yarrow is a resilient and low-maintenance plant, so don’t be afraid to experiment and find the trimming routine that works best for your specific yarrow variety and growing conditions.
