Oertel's Rose Yarrow (Achillea millefolium 'Oertel's Rose')
ah-KILL-lee-ah mil-lih-FOE-lee-um 'Oertel's Rose'

Deciduous Perennial Upright, Spreading in the Asteraceae Family
Compact, rosy-pink flower clusters over silvery, ferny foliage — a shorter, sturdier yarrow selection that resists flopping and blooms most of the summer. Thrives in dry, lean soil and full sun with minimal care.

'Oertel's Rose' is a naturally compact selection of common yarrow (Achillea millefolium), notable for staying shorter and sturdier than typical seed-grown forms of the species, which tend to grow tall and flop over. According to North Creek Nurseries, the plant traces back to a roadside specimen dug by Mae Oertel, who brought it from the Midwest to Athens, Georgia around 1983; its compact habit proved superior enough to seed-grown yarrow that it was propagated on as a named selection. It does not appear to be a patented cultivar.

From early to late summer, flattened clusters of deep rose-pink flowers rise above finely divided, silvery-green, fern-like foliage. Like other forms of common yarrow, it is extremely drought tolerant once established and performs best in full sun and lean, well-drained soil — rich or consistently moist conditions encourage floppy growth and disease. Because it spreads by rhizomes and reseeds readily, and because seed-grown offspring will not reliably retain the compact habit or flower color, propagate true-to-type plants by division or stem cuttings rather than seed.

Pros

  • Compact, non-flopping habit — bred from a naturally dwarf roadside selection rather than typical tall, leggy seed-grown yarrow
  • Long summer bloom season with rosy-pink flowers good for fresh or dried cutting
  • Drought tolerant once established; thrives in poor, lean soil
  • Deer- and rabbit-resistant; attracts butterflies and other pollinators

Cons

  • Spreads by rhizomes and can be aggressive in rich, moist soil
  • Prone to powdery mildew and stem lodging (flopping) in part shade or overly fertile soil
  • Foliage and flowers are toxic if ingested by pets or livestock
Highlights A compact, non-flopping selection of common yarrow prized for its rosy-pink, long-blooming flowers over silvery, ferny foliage — extremely drought tolerant, deer-resistant, and a magnet for pollinators.
 

Plant Data

Mature Size 24 - 30 inches tall. 24 - 48 inches wide.
Growth Rate Fast
Sun Exposure Full Sun - Full Sun
Moisture Tolerance Dry - Medium: Prefers dry to medium moisture and good drainage; drought tolerant once established. Avoid consistently wet or waterlogged soil, which increases the risk of root and crown rot.
Zones 3a - 9b (Usually hardy to -40° F)
Tags Attracts Beneficial Insects, Attracts Birds, Attracts Butterflies, Attracts Pollinators, Attracts Wildlife, Deciduous, Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Dry, Extended Bloom Time, Fast Growth Rate, Formal Garden, Fragrant Flowers, Fragrant Foliage, Full Sun, Full Sun, Good for Borders, Good for Butterfly Garden, Good for Cottage Garden, Good for Cut Flowers, Low Maintenance, Medium, Nativar, Naturalizing, Normal Soil, Perennial, Prairie Garden, Rabbit Resistant, Repels Unwanted Insects, Showy Flowers, Thrillers, Tolerant of Clay Soil, Tolerant of Moist Soil, Tolerant of Poor Soil, Tolerant of Salt, Tolerant of Sandy Soil, Well-Drained Soil, Woodland Garden
Bloom Period June to September
Flower Color Pink
 

More Info from Experts

Commonly Planted with...

Echinacea, Rudbeckia, Salvia, Nepeta, Agastache, Coreopsis, Sedum, and ornamental grasses — plants that share its preference for full sun and lean, well-drained soil.
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Pricing and Availability History

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Past Availability
2025 : 04/13 - 09/20
2024 : 05/01 - 09/21
2023 : 05/04 - 09/30

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Field-Grown vs. Greenhouse-Grown Plants

Plants which are well-adapted to our local climate are most often field-grown (outside). Field-grown plants are generally cheaper and have the advantage of already somewhat acclimated to our cold winters, but that means they’re not artificially far along in the spring and tend to bloom at the normal time in our area.

Spring annuals and tender perennials are typically grown in Greenhouses so they can be ready and luxurious exactly when customers want them. Some perennials are also “forced” into early bloom in greenhouses. In May, there can be a very big difference between field-grown and greenhouse-grown plants of the same type. The latter typically look good right away (so they’re a great choice where that’s important), but we typically pay a premium for it.


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