One of the fernleaf yarrows was chosen as the dried flower of the year by the Association of Specialty Cut Flower Growers for 2009. All of the garden and flower experts seem to agree that this is the standard by which other yellow yarrows are judged.

This hybrid is preferred for several reasons not the least of which is the fact that the dried stems tend to keep their color almost indefinitely.

Coronation Gold is considered the best of all the yellow flowering cultivars. It has long been used both as an everlasting and as a fresh cut flower. This plant is known worldwide as a superior cut and dried flower.

These cut flowers can be aromatic when freshly harvested. As a dried flower, the fragrance disappears over time.

This is a very free flowering plant that starts blooming in mid-summer. It continues blooming after the first stems are harvest. It should continue blooming into September or so.

The tiny, daisy-like flowers are mustard green or yellow green. They’re much more tightly packed than those of the species plants. The clusters look like flat dishes. The clusters can be up to five inches wide.

For drying, cut the stems when the blooms are showing their most vivid color, which is usually within several days after they open.

If harvested too soon, the vase life of these fresh flowers will be much shorter. There is also the possibility that they will shrivel. The vase life for fresh cuts is generally at least two weeks. As a fresh cut flower, Coronation Gold stems are used as a medium mass flower. They’re ideal for mixed bouquets.

This plant will yield lots of stems for cutting. It is more likely to yield a greater number of stems in hot climates than it does in the North.

These stems are easy to dry as an everlasting. Strip some of the leaves off the lower part of the stems. Tie them into bundles. Hang the bundles upside down in a cool, dark place with good ventilation. It will take 1½ to two months to completely dry. To protect from dust, store in a brown paper bag after the stems have dried.