Although often associated with dry sunny soils, achillea appreciate a slightly more fertile soil to give their best. For the tidy gardener all respond well to cutting down after flowering, encouraging fresh growth and sometimes a late flush of flower. The latin name achillea is said to have been discovered by the Greek warrior Achilles and is still an ingredient in some healing salves.
All species have numerous flowerheads, each with tiny flowers bearing nectar and pollen which are attractive to smaller pollinators, especially pollen-beetles and smaller hoverflies, irrespective of flower colour. Yarrows can attract aphids, which may be kept under control by ladybirds.