Terra Cotta™ Yarrow

Terra Cotta is a named yarrow cultivar whose flat flower clusters shift from soft yellow-orange to warm orange-brown as they age. Finely divided, fern-like green leaves and a long summer display make it a useful color bridge between yellow and russet-toned plantings. [Smithsonian Gardens](https://si.gardenexplorer.org/taxon-39021.aspx) records flowers from June through August and a mature size of about 2½–3 ft tall by 2–2½ ft wide. ## Landscape use Use it in sunny mixed borders, cottage gardens, or a cut-flower bed, where its flat flower heads contrast with upright grasses and spire-shaped perennials. The flowers attract butterflies, and the plant is reported to resist deer and rabbits. This is a named hybrid cultivar propagated vegetatively; seedlings of common yarrow should not be assumed to reproduce Terra Cotta’s selection. [North Carolina State Extension](https://hortscans.ces.ncsu.edu/uploads/i/n/invincib_51dd9b72c5cdd.pdf) describes Terra Cotta among vegetatively propagated colored hybrids. ## Siting Give it full sun and freely draining soil. The cultivar tolerates heat and humidity; the [RHS Achillea growing guide](https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/achillea/how-to-grow-achillea) notes that established Achillea can withstand dry periods, while young plants need watering as they establish. Avoid persistently wet ground. ## Maintenance Remove spent flower heads if you want to encourage further flowering and limit seed. Leave sound stems standing over winter for structure and wildlife, then tidy them in spring. Divide an established clump every few years if flowering or vigor declines. These practices follow the RHS guidance for Achillea.