UK compost
What compost for fern-leaf yarrow 'gold plate' in the UK?
Achillea filipendulina
More about fern-leaf yarrow 'gold plate' in the UK
Which compost fern-leaf yarrow 'gold plate' needs
For fern-leaf yarrow 'gold plate' the mix to buy is peat-free multipurpose compost. Yarrow thrives in lean, well-drained soils and deteriorates rapidly in rich, poorly drained conditions. Avoid heavy clay or constantly moist soil which causes crown rot and flopping. A neutral pH of 6.5–7.5 is ideal. Add grit to improve drainage in clay soils. In British garden centres the bagged growing medium is sold simply as “compost” (multipurpose, ericaceous, or loam-based John Innes), which is a different thing from the rotted garden “compost” you make in a heap — for a pot you want the bagged kind.
Peat-free compost
Buy peat-free. The sale of peat compost to home gardeners is being phased out across the UK, and the RHS recommends peat-free on environmental grounds. A good peat-free multipurpose grows fern-leaf yarrow 'gold plate' perfectly well; the one habit to change is watering — peat-free dries faster at the surface while still moist below, so check by feel a knuckle deep rather than trusting the look of the top.
Ericaceous or multipurpose?
Fern-leaf Yarrow 'Gold Plate' is straightforward: an ordinary peat-free multipurpose compost is right. For a big specimen or a pot it will live in for years, mixing in some loam-based John Innes No.2 or No.3 adds weight and holds nutrients longer. Ericaceous compost is not needed unless a plant is specifically a lime-hater.
For the full recipe, pH and drainage detail (US wording), see the fern-leaf yarrow 'gold plate' soil & potting-mix guide.
Compost for Fern-leaf Yarrow 'Gold Plate' in the UK — frequently asked questions
What compost should I use for fern-leaf yarrow 'gold plate' in the UK?
Use peat-free multipurpose compost. Yarrow thrives in lean, well-drained soils and deteriorates rapidly in rich, poorly drained conditions. Avoid heavy clay or constantly moist soil which causes crown rot and flopping. A neutral pH of 6.5–7.5 is ideal. Add grit to improve drainage in clay soils. In UK garden centres this is sold simply as "compost" — the bagged growing medium, not garden-made leaf-mould — so match the description above rather than a brand.
Can I use ordinary multipurpose compost for fern-leaf yarrow 'gold plate'?
Yes. A good peat-free multipurpose compost is exactly right for fern-leaf yarrow 'gold plate'. For a large or long-term pot you can mix in some John Innes No.2 or No.3 (loam-based) for extra weight and staying power.
Should the compost be peat-free?
Yes. Sales of peat compost to home gardeners are being phased out in the UK, and the RHS recommends peat-free for environmental reasons. Modern peat-free multipurpose composts grow fern-leaf yarrow 'gold plate' perfectly well — they dry a little faster at the surface, so check moisture by feel rather than by the look of the top.
Does fern-leaf yarrow 'gold plate' need grit or perlite added?
Not essential, but a couple of handfuls of perlite in the mix improves aeration and guards against overwatering — useful on a cool, damp British windowsill where compost stays wet longer.
What pot and drainage does fern-leaf yarrow 'gold plate' need?
Always a pot with drainage holes. Well-draining, average to poor fertility loam or sandy soil. Stand it on a saucer, empty any water that collects after watering, and never leave the pot sitting in a full outer cover — waterlogged compost in a cool UK room is the commonest cause of root rot.
More fern-leaf yarrow 'gold plate' care
See the full fern-leaf yarrow 'gold plate' care guide, its UK watering and UK hardiness.