Little Moonshine Yarrow
Little Moonshine Yarrow
Canary-Yellow Clusters on a Compact Silver Mound
Little Moonshine Yarrow (Achillea 'Little Moonshine') is a dwarf version of the classic Moonshine, pairing bright canary-yellow flat flower clusters with attractive silvery-gray ferny foliage on a neat, compact mound. The sunny flowers bloom for weeks, drawing butterflies and bees, and the silver leaves look good even between flushes. Drought-tolerant and deer-resistant, its small size is perfect for the front of sunny borders and containers in Eden Prairie, Plymouth, and Eagan.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Botanical Name | Achillea 'Little Moonshine' |
| Mature Size | 10–12 in tall and wide (compact) |
| Hardiness Zone | Zone 3–8 (fully hardy across Minnesota) |
| Light | Full sun |
| Bloom Time | Summer (long blooming) |
| Flower Color | Bright canary-yellow over silver foliage |
| Soil | Lean to average, well-drained; very drought tolerant |
Landscape Uses
Use Little Moonshine at the front of pollinator and sunny borders, in containers, rock gardens, and gravel plantings. Its silver foliage and yellow flowers pair beautifully with purple salvia, coneflowers, and grasses, and the flowers cut and dry well.
Best Time to Plant
Plant in spring or early fall in a sunny, well-drained spot.
How to Plant
Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and just as deep. Set the crown level with the soil, backfill (avoid rich, heavy soil), water in, and mulch lightly. Good drainage keeps it sturdy.
Watering
First Year: Water deeply once a week to establish the roots.
After Year One: Little supplemental water needed; it's very drought tolerant.
Drip Irrigation: Use sparingly; yarrow thrives on the dry side.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is it different from Moonshine?
It's a compact, dwarf version with the same bright yellow flowers and silver foliage in a smaller package.
Is it good for pollinators?
Yes, the flat flower heads are a landing pad for butterflies, bees, and beneficial insects.
Is it hardy in Minnesota?
Yes, it's a Zone 3 perennial, fully hardy statewide.
Is it deer resistant?
Yes, the aromatic foliage makes yarrow reliably deer-resistant.
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Pair Little Moonshine with Moonshine, purple salvia, coneflowers, and grasses for a silver-and-gold, pollinator-friendly border.
How Many Little Moonshine Yarrow Do I Need?
This compact yarrow stays 10–12 in wide, so space plants 12 in on center for a solid front-of-border ribbon, or cluster in groups of 3–5 in a rock garden. For an edge run at 12 in o.c.:
| Run length | 5 ft | 10 ft | 15 ft | 20 ft |
| Plants (12 in o.c.) | 5 | 10 | 15 | 20 |
Little Moonshine Yarrow Season-by-Season in Minnesota
- Spring: A tidy mound of silvery-gray ferny foliage greens up early and looks sharp before bloom.
- Summer: Flat canary-yellow flower clusters cover the mound for weeks, drawing butterflies and bees to the landing-pad blooms.
- Fall: Sporadic reblooming continues over the silver foliage; flowers cut and dry well for arrangements.
- Winter: Foliage dies back; cut spent stems in late fall or leave seed heads for light winter texture.
At a Glance
✔ Pollinator-Friendly ✔ Deer-Resistant ✔ Drought-Tolerant
Plant It With
- Moonshine Yarrow — the full-size original; pair the two for a tiered silver-and-gold yarrow planting.
- Sombrero Granada Gold Coneflower — golden coneflowers extend the warm color and share the lean, sunny site.
- Little Bluestem — a fine native grass backdrop that loves the same dry soil.
- Blue Fortune Hyssop — lavender-blue spikes make a cool contrast to the yellow flat-tops.
Is Little Moonshine Yarrow Right for Your Yard?
This dwarf yarrow wants full sun and lean, sharp-draining soil — rock gardens, gravel beds, hot borders, and containers are ideal, and it shrugs off drought and deer. Not a fit for rich, wet, or shaded ground, where it grows floppy and short-lived from crown rot.