Achillea 'Little Moonshine' is a compact long blooming yarrow cultivar prized for its soft yellow flowers and silvery aromatic foliage. A refined dwarf form of the classic 'Moonshine', it offers the same durability in a tighter footprint making it perfect for borders, containers, and small scale pollinator gardens. The tidy habit resists flopping and blooms profusely throughout summer with minimal maintenance.
Height & Spread: 10 - 12 in x 12 - 15 in
Bloom Time: June to September
Light Requirements: Full sun
Soil Preference: Well drained soil; tolerant of poor or sandy soils
Watering Needs: Low once established
Deer Resistance: Seldom browsed due to strongly scented foliage
Native Status
Derived from Achillea millefolium, which is native to North America and Europe. 'Little Moonshine' is a non native cultivar bred for ornamental performance and compact habit.
Wildlife & Insects
Butterflies
- Frequented by Painted Ladies, Eastern Tiger Swallowtails, and Common Buckeyes who seek nectar from its flat flower clusters.
Bees
- Attracts native sweat bees, bumblebees, and honeybees through mid to late summer with long lasting blooms.
Beneficial Insects
- Draws in parasitic wasps, hoverflies, and lacewings that help control garden pests such as aphids and mites.
Spacing & Landscape Use
Spacing Recommendations:
- Space 12 - 15 in apart to form dense weed suppressing mats without overcrowding.
Landscape Placement:
- Ideal for sunny borders, rock gardens, containers, and the front of perennial beds. Blends well in pollinator strips and xeriscapes where low water use is key.
Companion Plants
- Thymus serpyllum (Creeping Thyme) - A drought tolerant groundcover that fills gaps between yarrow clumps and adds fragrance underfoot.
- Lavandula angustifolia 'Hidcote' - Deep purple flowers contrast beautifully with the soft yellow yarrow, and both thrive in dry sunny sites.
- Echinacea purpurea 'Magnus' - Tall coneflowers provide vertical interest and attract a wide array of pollinators.
- Salvia nemorosa 'Caradonna' - Spiky blue violet blooms provide a structural contrast and continuous bloom with yarrow.
- Coreopsis verticillata 'Zagreb' - Feathery foliage and golden blooms offer complementary texture and color.