Yarrow (Achillea millefolium 'ACBZ0002' LITTLE MOONSHINE)
Achillea millefolium 'ACBZ0002' LITTLE MOONSHINE Yarrow offers compact, bright yellow blooms and drought tolerance for full sun gardens.
Complete Plant Information
Overview
Achillea millefolium ‘ACBZ0002’ LITTLE MOONSHINE is a spectacular, compact cultivar ideal for gardeners seeking reliable color and exceptional hardiness. This variety of Yarrow stands out with its finely cut, green-gray foliage and persistent clusters of bright yellow flowers that appear robustly throughout the season. It is an excellent choice for sunny locations where toughness is required.
This herbaceous perennial thrives in lean, well-drained soils under full sun, offering significant drought tolerance once established. Unlike some taller Yarrow varieties, Achillea millefolium ‘ACBZ0002’ LITTLE MOONSHINE maintains a neat, manageable size, reducing the common flopping issues often associated with the species. This compact habit makes the Little Moonshine Yarrow highly desirable for modern landscape designs.
The blooms of this Yarrow are highly effective both fresh and dried, attracting pollinators while standing up well to summer heat. By incorporating this reliable performer, gardeners gain season-long structure and vibrant yellow accents without demanding high levels of rich soil or constant moisture.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Asteraceae
- Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 4-8
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 0.75-1 ft
- Spread: 0.75-1 ft
- Bloom Time: June to September
- Bloom Description: Bright yellow
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Water Needs: Dry to medium
- Maintenance Level: Medium
How to Grow
For optimal performance, plant Achillea millefolium ‘ACBZ0002’ LITTLE MOONSHINE in full sun locations. The plant performs best when grown in lean soils, favoring well-drained sandy loams, though it tolerates average garden soils provided excellent drainage is ensured. While it establishes well in dry to medium conditions, avoid overly moist or rich soils, as these conditions encourage weak stems prone to lodging, especially in hot, humid climates.
Watering should be conservative; this Yarrow is highly drought-tolerant and thrives on neglect once established. Fertilization is generally unnecessary, as lean soil promotes the best habit and flower production. If you wish to control the final size, consider cutting back the main plant stems in late spring before initial flowering to reduce overall height.
To encourage a second flush of blooms, shear the plant back to the lateral flower buds immediately after the first heavy bloom cycle concludes. For a complete reset, cut the entire clump back to the basal foliage after flowering ends. Divide large, tired clumps every two to three years to maintain the vitality and vigor of your Achillea millefolium ‘ACBZ0002’ LITTLE MOONSHINE planting.
Landscape Uses
The robust nature of this Yarrow makes it perfectly suited for naturalized areas, meadows, and prairies where it can spread naturally by rhizomes and self-seeding into lovely colonies. Due to its excellent tolerance for hot, dry conditions, it is an essential component in seaside gardens and xeriscaping plans. Furthermore, its compact habit ensures it fits well into structured settings like cottage gardens or rock gardens where a low, tidy boundary is desired.
The bright yellow flower heads of Achillea millefolium ‘ACBZ0002’ LITTLE MOONSHINE provide excellent contrast against plants with blue or purple flowers, such as Salvia or Lavender. Use it interchangeably with other drought-tolerant perennials that can handle full sun exposure. Any stems not used fresh from the garden should be harvested before the color fades entirely, as the flowers dry beautifully, retaining their structure and color for winter arrangements.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
- Good Cut
- Good Dried
Noteworthy Characteristics
The genus name Achillea honors the Greek mythological hero Achilles, who famously used the plant medicinally for battlefield wounds. The species name millefolium translates to “thousand-leaved,” referring directly to the plant’s highly dissected, fern-like foliage which possesses a spicy aroma. The cultivar ‘ACBZ0002’ LITTLE MOONSHINE is a compact introduction with bright yellow blooms comparable in size to the standard ‘Moonshine’ but on shorter stems, making it a tidier garden specimen.
Tolerances
- Deer
- Drought
- Dry Soil
- Air Pollution
Potential Problems
While Achillea millefolium ‘ACBZ0002’ LITTLE MOONSHINE is tough, it is not immune to all issues. Stem rot can occasionally occur, particularly if the plant is situated in poorly drained heavy clay soils, exacerbated by overwatering. Fungal issues like powdery mildew and rust can appear, especially in humid conditions or if air circulation is poor.
The most common practical issue is stem flopping. This occurs if the plant receives too much fertilizer or lives in consistently moist soil, leading to weak, elongated stems incapable of supporting the flower heads, particularly when battered by heavy rain or wind. Prevent this by ensuring the site is truly sunny and the soil lean. If flopping occurs mid-season, aggressive cutting back after the initial bloom will tidy the planting and potentially encourage a more compact rebloom. Deer typically leave this Yarrow alone.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Yarrow (Achillea millefolium ‘ACBZ0002’ LITTLE MOONSHINE) suitable for?
This tough perennial is suitable for USDA Zones 4 through 8, offering reliable performance across a wide range of temperate climates.
How large does Achillea millefolium ‘ACBZ0002’ LITTLE MOONSHINE grow?
This cultivar is notably compact, typically reaching a height between 0.75 and 1 foot tall, with a similar spread of 0.75 to 1 foot wide.
What sun exposure does Yarrow need?
Full sun is required for the best flowering and strongest stems for Achillea millefolium ‘ACBZ0002’ LITTLE MOONSHINE.
When does Achillea millefolium ‘ACBZ0002’ LITTLE MOONSHINE bloom?
It blooms beautifully from June straight through September, producing masses of bright yellow flower heads.
Conclusion
The Achillea millefolium ‘ACBZ0002’ LITTLE MOONSHINE Yarrow provides significant ornamental value through its low-maintenance profile, intense drought tolerance, and consistent bright yellow summer blooms. This smaller version of ‘Moonshine’ is a garden workhorse, perfect for mass planting or dry borders. Before planting, confirm your location falls within USDA Zones 4-8 and ensure the site receives full, uninterrupted sunlight for the best results.
Companion Planting
Selecting appropriate neighbors is key to maintaining good air circulation, which helps prevent minor fungal issues in any Yarrow planting. Plants that appreciate similar dry, lean soil conditions make excellent companions here. Try pairing Achillea millefolium ‘ACBZ0002’ LITTLE MOONSHINE with Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia) or ornamental grasses, which share a high tolerance for heat and low moisture.
In cottage garden settings, contrast the flat heads of the Yarrow with spikier companions like Veronica or shorter varieties of Catmint (Nepeta). Ensure that you do not pair this spreading perennial with delicate, moisture-loving plants, as the aggressive self-seeding and rhizomes of Yarrow can quickly overwhelm less vigorous neighbors.
Wildlife Benefits
The dense, flat corymbs produced by Achillea millefolium ‘ACBZ0002’ LITTLE MOONSHINE are structurally significant for garden ecology. These flower arrays act as landing pads, making them especially attractive to a wide variety of beneficial insect pollinators, including beneficial wasps and hoverflies.
While the species frequently attracts butterflies, cultivars like this compact Yarrow maintain that appeal, transforming sunny, dry borders into pollinator magnets. Furthermore, the aromatic, fern-like foliage provides low-level ground coverage that helps suppress weeds in the hot summer months, creating a beneficial microclimate beneath the flowering canopy.
