Yarrow not flowering

[William L. Rose]

I have two yarrow (Achillea millefolium) that I bought last year as plants. This year one is in the ground and the other not far away in a pot. In the same location I am growing corn and pumpkin and butternut squash. The soil is amended clay, and the pot is some cheap potting soil. Neither have bloomed. They both have been fertilized with Miracle Grow tomato formula (12-18-18 or something like that). Any words of wisdom, encouragement, excoriation?

- Bill

[Jangchub]

full sun hot poor soil no added water

This plant does not like good soil or overwatering. It also needs full sun.

[John Ladasky]

Bill, you don't say anything about your location. Achillea millefolium is a California native plant. It grows wild here in full sun, in a climate with no summer rain at all. Achillea grows in soils which are quite low in nitrogen and organic matter. Granted, it doesn't look quite as nice in every wild location as it does in a garden -- some of it is pretty scruffy, and some of it goes summer-dormant. But Achillea is tough, tough, tough.

I don't think you will HARM Achillea with water and fertilizer. I have some Achillea volunteers in the middle of my vegetable garden, and they look great.

As for the flowering, I have started Achillea from seed. It's easy. Many plants do not flower the first year. I don't think that your lack of care has anything to do with your lack of flowers. Wait until next year, and see if you get flowers then.

+-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-+ | Ladasky Home Solar, Inc.: blowing sunshine up your | | power grid since March 24, 2005. Fiat lux! | +-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-+ | Uptime Downtime kWh generated kWh consumed | | 520 days 6.5 hours 9908 9838 | +-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-+

[Sparky Organic]

I would definitely not give achillea any extra fertilizer. Give it good soil, good drainage, masses of sunlight, and leave it alone. It will bloom.