Description
Yaak Yarrow Seeds is 100% Achillea millefolium var. Yaak — the turf-type native yarrow selected for compact, mow-tolerant lawn performance. Named for the Yaak Valley in northwestern Montana, this is one of the most important single-species additions for any flowering lawn project. Zones 3–9. Non-GMO. Native to North America.
What is Yaak Yarrow?
Standard yarrow (Achillea millefolium) grows 12–36 inches — too tall for lawn use. The Yaak variety is a low-growing, compact selection that stays at 4–6 inches, adopts a semi-prostrate habit, and can flower from stems that survive mowing at 4–6 inches. It spreads slowly by rhizomes to fill in around other lawn plants, thrives in the same lean, low-fertility conditions as fine fescue, and is demonstrably used in bee lawn research projects in Minnesota and across the Pacific Northwest.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Height | 4–6 inches (turf-type habit) |
| Spread | By rhizomes — gradually fills in around grass and clover |
| Bloom colour | White flat-topped flower heads |
| Bloom time | June–August |
| Germination | 14–28 days at soil temperature 55°F+ |
| Drought tolerance | Excellent — deep root system |
| Traffic tolerance | Good — withstands pets and moderate foot traffic |
| Mow tolerance | Yes — survives and blooms at 4–6 inch mow height |
| Zones | 3–9 — nationwide coverage |
How to Use Yaak Yarrow Seeds
Option 1 — Overseeding into an existing lawn
The simplest approach: no lawn removal needed.
- Mow existing lawn as short as possible — scalp to ½ inch if possible.
- Core-aerate the lawn to expose soil in the aeration holes.
- Broadcast Yaak Yarrow at per 1,000 sq ft over the aerated area.
- Mix seed with dry sand (1:10 ratio by weight) before broadcasting — the seed is extremely fine.
- Water in. Keep surface moist for 2–3 weeks.
- Expect germination in 2–4 weeks. Visible plants in 6–10 weeks. First bloom in year 2.
Option 2 — New lawn or bare ground
- Clear surface. Rake level.
- Sow at per 1,000 sq ft, mixed with sand for even distribution.
- Press/roll firmly. Keep moist for 2–3 weeks.
- Can also be dormant-seeded in late autumn/winter over frozen ground or fresh snow — seeds germinate in spring.
Option 3 — As an ingredient in a custom mix
Yaak Yarrow is an ingredient in our WildLawn and SunMeadow mixes. For custom blends, we recommend it at 5–10% by weight of the total mix alongside fine fescue, clover or self-heal.
Seeding Tips — Fine Seed Handling
Yaak Yarrow seed is extremely fine — approximately 4 million seeds per ounce. Even small quantities cover large areas. Two important tips:
- Always mix with sand before broadcasting — pure seed clumps and distributes unevenly.
- Surface sow only — do not bury. Yarrow seed needs light for germination.
Companion Plants
Yaak Yarrow performs best as part of a diverse flowering lawn. Natural companions include Self-Heal (appears in WildLawn), English Daisy and fine fescue. All three are sold separately as Flowering Lawn Ingredients.
