{"title":"Seeds for Dyers","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eNot dying, don’t worry. These are the ones bringing your garden—and your wardrobe—to life.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDyeing with plants is an easy, low-impact way to add natural colour to your world. Harvest petals, leaves, stems, or roots. Then turn them into bright dyes or soft, earthy washes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA lot of dye plants are probably already growing in your garden, just waiting to be noticed. Whether you’re brand new to this or just need another reason to grow something, these plants have plenty going for them. They’re interesting, versatile, and full of possibilities.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eSo why not sow some seeds and grow your own natural colours—whether you dye or don’t?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDyeing information\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca title=\"Dyeing Equipment\" href=\"\/pages\/dyeing-equipment\"\u003eDyeing Equipment\u003c\/a\u003e Starting with the basic six\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca title=\"Fabric Preparation\" href=\"\/pages\/fabric-preparation\"\u003eFabric Preparation\u003c\/a\u003e Keep it easy with 100% cotton T-shirts\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eScour\/wash, Mordant \u0026amp; Rinse or Bind\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"dyers-coreopsis-coreopsis-tinctoria","title":"Dyers Coreopsis (Coreopsis tinctoria)","description":"\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDyers Coreopsis\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003e(Coreopsis tinctoria) \u003c\/em\u003eis a particularly good choice for the dye garden, producing strong yellows and oranges. It is easy to grow too, flowering from July until the first autumn frosts with masses of cheerful blooms that are loved by bees, butterflies and other beneficial insects.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e🌸 Flowering: July to the first frosts \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e📏 Height: 45-90cm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e🌿 Annual \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e💧 Drought tolerant once established\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSow\u003c\/strong\u003e: from March to mid-May in trays or small pots. Surface sow or cover the seed lightly. Pot up once the seedlings have two pairs of leaves and grow on.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGrow\u003c\/strong\u003e: plant out once they have a good root system, choosing a sunny position with well-drained soil. Deadhead regularly to keep the flowers coming. Better still, harvest the flowers for your dye pot and the plants will respond by producing more.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEnjoy\u003c\/strong\u003e: bright yellow flowers splashed with rich mahogany-red around their centres, and plenty of them. Grow Dyers Coreopsis in drifts and you get months of garden colour, plenty for the vase and a regular supply of flowers for experimenting with in the dye pot.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e🎨 Natural dye plant\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe flowers produce strong yellows and oranges, with the final colour influenced by the dyeing method and pH.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003ePick the flower heads when they are fully open. They can be used fresh or dried for later.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e For a medium shade, use roughly the same weight of fresh flowers as the dry weight of fabric, or around half the fabric weight if using dried flowers. More flowers will give stronger colours.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFor cotton, linen or hemp, prepare the fabric first with an aluminium lactate mordant or a soymilk binder.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSoak the flowers in water overnight, then bring to a gentle simmer for an hour. Allow to cool, strain and return the dye water to the pot. Add the prepared, pre-soaked fabric and simmer gently for another hour.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHere's where Dyers Coreopsis gets particularly interesting. Add a little vinegar or lemon juice to bring out yellower shades, while a small amount of soda ash can bring out the reds.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe dye bath can be used again for a paler shade.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe colours have good lightfastness and colourfastness.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e🏡 In your garden\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCottage and informal gardens\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFlower borders and beds\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGravel gardens\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePrairie-style planting\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWildlife and pollinator plantings\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCutting gardens\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDyers gardens\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e✂️ Cut flower\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAn excellent cut flower, bringing its bright yellows and rich mahogany markings indoors.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFresh vase life of 7+ days.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e🐝 Pollinator friendly\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe flowers are visited by bees, butterflies and other beneficial insects\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRHS Plants for Pollinators recommended\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e📜 Traditional uses\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNative American peoples traditionally used Coreopsis tinctoria for a variety of purposes, including as a dye plant.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e💡 Did you know?\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDyers Coreopsis can also be used for solar dyeing, using the warmth of the sun rather than simmering a dye bath\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"MoreVeg Seeds","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49824582598932,"sku":"HBDCO","price":0.8,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0918\/3133\/7236\/files\/DYERS_COREOPSIS_ml.jpg?v=1732815530"},{"product_id":"dyers-greenweed-genista-tinctoria","title":"Dyers Greenweed Genista tinctoria","description":"\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDyers Greenweed\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003e(Genista tinctoria)\u003c\/em\u003e is a UK native, although you're unlikely to come across it very often in the wild. Bright yellow flowers cover the dark green stems from June to September, providing pollen and nectar for bees and an important foodplant for a number of moth species. Historically important as a dye plant, it produces strong, warm yellows from its flowering stems.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e🌸 Flowering: June to September \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e📏 Height: 60-90cm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e🌿 Hardy deciduous shrub \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e💧 Drought tolerant once established\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSow\u003c\/strong\u003e: in autumn in pots in a cold frame or under a cloche, allowing the seeds to experience the natural winter cold before germinating as temperatures rise in spring. Alternatively, soak stored seed in warm water for 24 hours and sow in February, placing the pots in a cold frame or under a cloche.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGrow\u003c\/strong\u003e: transplant while the plants are still young as Dyers Greenweed dislikes root disturbance. Choose a sunny position with well-drained soil. Once established it needs little fuss and is quite at home in a drier part of the garden.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEnjoy\u003c\/strong\u003e: this isn't just a plant for the dye pot. Those bright yellow flowers against the dark green stems make a lovely splash of summer colour, particularly in a sunny, slightly wilder corner of the garden. And knowing there's a centuries-old dye plant growing there makes it that little bit more interesting.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e🎨 Natural dye plant\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe flowering stems produce strong, warm yellow shades. Rather than picking individual flowers, snip the flowering stem tips for your dye pot.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eYou'll need plenty of plant material. For a first dye bath, aim for roughly one and a half to twice the weight of fresh flowering tips to the dry weight of fabric.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFor cotton, linen or hemp, prepare the fabric first with an aluminium lactate mordant. Dyers Greenweed takes better with a mordant than a soymilk binder.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDyers Greenweed benefits from slow extraction. Soak the flowering tips overnight, then bring them to a low simmer for an hour before straining.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAdd a little chalk to strengthen the yellow, then add the prepared, pre-soaked fabric and simmer gently for another hour. Leave it to cool in the dye bath overnight; leaving it for several days can produce a stronger colour.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe dye bath can be used again for a paler shade.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe yellow has good lightfastness.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e🏡 In your garden\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003eCottage and informal gardens\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWildlife gardens\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNative plantings\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBanks and slopes\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGravel gardens\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDyers gardens\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e🐝 Pollinator friendly\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe flowers provide pollen and nectar for bees.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e🐞 Wildlife friendly\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAn important foodplant for several scarce insects, including five rare or nationally scarce micro-moths for which Dyers Greenweed is the sole or primary foodplant.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e📜 Traditional uses\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDyers Greenweed has a very long history as a dye plant. Remains of the plant have been found during excavations at Viking-age Coppergate in York.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFabric dyed with its strong yellow and then be overdyed with blue from woad to produce green, traditionally known as Lincoln Green.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe young shoots and stems were also once bundled together to make sweeping brooms, giving the plant another of its common names, Dyer's Broom.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"MoreVeg Seeds","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49824584433940,"sku":"HBDGW","price":1.5,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0918\/3133\/7236\/files\/Greenweed_Dyers_ml.jpg?v=1732815604"},{"product_id":"marigold-pot","title":"Marigold Pot","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe cheerful blooms of \u003cstrong\u003ePot Marigold\u003c\/strong\u003e (\u003cem\u003eCalendula officianalis\u003c\/em\u003e) follow the sun, opening with the morning light and closing as it fades – like little solar clocks in your garden. A classic annual growing to around 30–45 cm tall, calendula is a reliable all-rounder for any garden. \u003cbr\u003eIt's a hardworking companion plant too, attracting the kinds of insects that feast on aphids and other garden pests.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith vivid orange and yellow petals, calendula adds a burst of colour to your veggie beds and makes long-lasting cut flowers to brighten up your home The petals are edible and can even be used as a natural food colouring or dye.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEye-catching, pollinator-friendly, and easy to grow—calendula is a garden favourite for good reason.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGrow it for beauty, for the bugs, or just because it makes you smile!\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThis variety is part of our naturally nurtured range, the seed comes from an organic source\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003ca name=\"_Hlk202883390\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Segoe UI Emoji',sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Segoe UI Emoji';\"\u003e🌱\u003c\/span\u003e Seasonal Growing Guide\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eSPRING\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eSow seeds in a tray with a very light covering.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003ePot up into individual pots when large enough to handle\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eGrow on ready to plant out.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSUMMER\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePlant out into the garden\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDead head regularly to keep those flowers coming.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHarvest fresh petals for culinary use (great for colouring for rice).\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCollect flower heads and tops for natural dyeing\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAUTUMN\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePull up and compost old plants.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAdd to the compost heap to return goodness to the soil\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e📌\u003cstrong\u003eUSES\u003c\/strong\u003e:\u003cbr\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eGREAT FOR WILDLIFE\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLoved by Honey Bees and Bumblebees, who flock to its nectar-rich blooms.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHoverflies visit for pollen—and their larvae help control aphids and other soft pests.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSow around veg beds to attract Lacewings, whose larvae are ferocious aphid-munchers.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eButterflies and moths regularly stop by, especially in warm weather.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eYou’ll often find Ladybirds nearby too, helping with pest control.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRHS-listed as a top plant for pollinators.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eEDIBLE\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe flowers are edible – add to salads, decorate cakes or use as a saffron substitute\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFresh petals are a traditional yellow cheese colorant\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eUse to colour rice yellow\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe leaves have a slight bitterness but young leaves can be added to spring salads.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eIN THE GARDEN\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePlant near where you might eat in the garden – reputed to keep flies and mosquitoes away – or crush the leaves and scatter\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe sticky substance on the pot marigold leaf attract and trap aphids\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA good addition to your compost heap - it has been suggested it quickens the breakdown of compost\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFor those with a greenhouse or coldframe these are particularly useful to attract pollinating insects into those spaces plus they help deter whitefly.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThey simply are a very cheerful flower to grow and enjoy.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eNATURAL DYE PLANT\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eColours ranging from butter, gold \u0026amp; yellow to orange. When modified with alum \u0026amp; iron, you can expect shades of olive-green\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eYou can use the flowers \u0026amp; plant tops\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFlowers can be gathered and frozen until you have enough to ‘play’ with\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eUsing \u003cem\u003eCalendula officianalis\u003c\/em\u003e to dye with: scroll down for this information\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eHISTORICAL\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCalendular officianalis\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e is one of the oldest of all cultivated flowers - described in 300 BC\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIt has been used for medicinal purposes since at least the 12th century\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe flowers are known to close when rain is expected and so they have culturally been used as a rough predictor for weather\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA symbol of redemption after death in Christian mythology\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIn Mexico it is also considered a flower of death, believed to originate from the blood of the indigene people slain by the Spanish conquerors\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCalendula has numerous mythological properties, such as the ability to strip a witch of her will, or wreaths of marigolds hung over a door would prevent evil from entering. They were specifically picked at Midsummer for their supposed healing properties\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eMEDICINAL\u003c\/span\u003e:\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e see caution\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe flowers (or an extract of calendula) are valued for their medicinal properties, for healing and soothing in particular\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eModern pharmacological studies have shown fungicidal, anti-viral and anti-inflammatory properties in calendula extracts: there are claims about treatment for acne and dermatitis, however studies are inconclusive on its effectiveness\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCaution: \u003c\/span\u003eanybody wishing to use plants for medicinal effect are advised to consult their medical professional\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePlease Note: we do not promote the medicinal use of plants – guidance and information should be sought elsewhere.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eDID YOU KNOW\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe seed shaped like a letter C it is actually an achene, which is a fruit that contains the seed\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cu\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDYEING WITH CALENDULA OFFICIANALIS\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003ePrepare your T-shirts or fabric: Scour\/wash, Mordant \u0026amp; Rinse or Bind \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"seeds for dyers fabric preparation\" href=\"\/pages\/fabric-preparation\"\u003e(\u003cem\u003efind out more here\u003c\/em\u003e)\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eYou will need a stainless steel sieve\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePrepare the Pot Marigold Dye bath\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFresh, dried or frozen Pot Marigold flowers.  I like fresh or frozen flowers but you need more than if using dried.  At a minimum 100% dried flower weight to dry fabric weight and if using fresh flowers then you need about double the weight of flowers to fabric weight.  Use a bit more when using frozen flowers, no need to defrost, remember dyeing is not an exact science.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe dye bath is a bit like brewing tea for a long time – half fill your dye pot with water (\u003cem\u003eyou need a large enough pot and dye water to give space for the fabric for the stage after this\u003c\/em\u003e), bring to the boil before adding your Pot Marigold flowers, boil them for about 5 minutes before reducing the temperature and simmering for an hour.  If possible leave them soaking overnight.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSieve out the flowers (they can be added to your compost heap) and return the dye water to the pot before adding your pre-soaked T-shirt, submerge it and pop the lid on. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGradually bring back to a simmer, gently stirring your fabric occasionally for an even coverage and you are happy with the colour.  Turn off the heat and let the dye pot cool sufficiently that you can wring out your T-shirt… you can leave the fabric soaking overnight for the colour to deepen. Adding vinegar or lemon juice can brighten the yellow (these are be dye modifiers).\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe dyebath can be used for another T-shirt (it will be a paler shade as some of the dye has been used) or tipped out into your garden.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRinse your T-shirt then gently hand wash with Ph neutral detergent and rinse again (it is normal for some dye to wash out), hang in the shade to dry.  Once the fabric is dry you can further ‘set’ the colour by ironing with a hot dry iron. Wear and enjoy your \u003cem\u003eCallendula officinalis \u003c\/em\u003edyed T-shirt.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"MoreVeg Seeds","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49824611893524,"sku":"HBPTM","price":0.75,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0918\/3133\/7236\/files\/pot_marigold_ml.jpg?v=1732816135"},{"product_id":"meadowsweet-filpendula-ulmaria","title":"Meadowsweet (Filpendula ulmaria)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMeadowsweet \u003c\/strong\u003e(\u003cem\u003eFilipendula ulmaria\u003c\/em\u003e) is a lovely native wildflower that produces a froth of creamy-white flowers through summer. It thrives in damp spots, forming natural clumps that suit wilder or less formal areas of the garden. The fragrant blooms are a favourite with pollinators, and the plant supports a range of garden wildlife. It also has a long history of edible, medicinal, and dye-making use.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eSee below for more information — and a note of caution too.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003e🌸 Flowering: June to September\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003e📏 Height: to 100cm\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003e🌿Perennial\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSOW\u003c\/strong\u003e: in spring or autumn, sprinkle a small pinch of seeds into pots of seed compost. Cover lightly with perlite or vermiculite and pop them in a cold frame or a cool, sheltered spot outside. Germination can be slow—anywhere from 1 to 3 months—so be patient and hang in there!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGROW\u003c\/strong\u003e: once the seedlings are big enough, plant them out where there’s plenty of moisture. Meadowsweet loves growing in clumps by streams, ponds, or damp meadow spots. Space plants about 30–40cm apart to give them room to spread. You can divide established clumps in spring or autumn to keep them healthy and looking their best.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e📌USES:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGreat for wildlife\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMeadowsweet’s fragrant clusters are loved by honeybees (Apis mellifera), bumblebees (Bombus spp.), and various solitary bees for nectar and pollen.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIt supports moth species such as the Emperor Moth (Saturnia pavonia), Scarlet Tiger Moth (Callimorpha dominula), and Fox Moth (Macrothylacia rubi), whose caterpillars feed on its foliage.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe plant provides habitat and hunting grounds for beneficial predatory insects like ladybirds (Coccinellidae family) and dragonflies (Odonata order), which help control aphids and other pests.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMeadowsweet is included in the RHS Pollinator Plant List, marking it as highly valuable for supporting native British pollinators.\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNatural dye plant\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003e(dyeing information will be added as soon as I can – R)\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMeadowsweet on its own gives a warm greeny-mustardy yellow\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eUsed with iron, it produces a much darker green\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA very dark shade, almost black, can be made from the roots\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCulinary use \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cem\u003e(see caution below)\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIf you're not sensitive to aspirin, Meadowsweet can be used in most recipes that call for elderflower. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSteep the flowers to flavour cordials, custard, ice cream… or added to homemade wine \u0026amp; homebrew\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFlowers can be eaten in salads\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMedicinal\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003cem\u003e(see caution below)\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMeadowsweet contains salicyclic acid (now a synthesised ingredient of aspirin)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTraditionally used to help with rheumatism, gout, colds, fever and digestive issues.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe scent of the blossom was said to help with headaches\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMeadowsweet tea has a long-standing reputation for easing hangovers\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePlease note: we do not promote the medicinal use of plants. Anyone wishing to explore this should seek guidance from a medical professional\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCutting \u0026amp; Fragrance:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA traditional flower for a brides bouquet.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFlowers keep their scent well when dried, and are lovely in a pot pourri.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHistorical uses\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe name is thought to come from the Anglo-Saxon \u003cem\u003emeodu-swete\u003c\/em\u003e, meaning “mead sweetener” – used to flavour drinks for centuries.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA favoured strewing herb for the bedroom floor of Queen Elizabeth I. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIt is one of the traditional plants used for dyeing wool for tartan cloth.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCAUTION \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cem\u003e- Plants containing salicylic compounds, like Meadowsweet, should be used with care — especially if you are on blood-thinning medication or have aspirin sensitivity.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"MoreVeg Seeds","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49824618250516,"sku":"FLWMS","price":0.7,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0918\/3133\/7236\/files\/meadowsweet.png?v=1751812306"},{"product_id":"tansy","title":"Tansy","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTansy \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cem\u003e(Tanacetum vulgare)\u003c\/em\u003e is a cheerful, unfussy perennial with plenty of uses. And it’s the usefulness of tansy that will likely persuade you to grow some yourself — it’s known as a natural insect repellent, and it also attracts bees, hoverflies and other helpful insects. From midsummer into autumn, it produces bright yellow button flowers that can even be used to make a natural yellow dye.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEasy to grow and hardy, it can reach up to 120cm tall. Best grown in a big pot or tucked into a corner where it can spread a little. Discover more — details below.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e🌱 Seasonal Growing Guide\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSOW: in sow in spring or early autumn, in trays or small pots, seed depth 10mm.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGROW: when large enough to handle plant out. You can pinch out growing tips and first set of leaves in May to create a bushier plant. Tansy likes full or part sun in a moist well drained soil. Tansy can spread; in small gardens, perhaps grow in a container. Height 60-120cm and flowering from July to early autumn.  Cut down in early spring.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e📌\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUSES\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eWILDLIFE FRIENDLY\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTansy’s perfect for honeybees and short-tongued bumblebees looking for late-season nectar.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLoved by ladybirds, whose larvae help control aphids around the garden.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSupports the Tansy Plume Moth and Cinnabar Moth — both use it for nectar, and the former relies on it for its caterpillars.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLeaving seed heads through autumn can attract goldfinches looking for a tasty snack.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWrens, robins and blue tits can often be seen foraging in and around Tansy plants.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eNATURAL DYE PLANT\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cem\u003e– dyeing information will be added as soon as I can - R\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTansy gives a beautiful yellow dye – totally natural\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eCULINARY\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTansy can be used occasionally in small amounts in cooking. It has a strong, peppery taste and can be used as a substitute for pepper. It compliments scrambled eggs and omelettes, herb butters, and marinades. It can be used fresh or minced.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCaution:\u003c\/strong\u003e Don't ingest Tansy at all if pregnant\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eNATURAL INSECT REPELLANT\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA ‘tea’ brewed from the leaves of the tansy plant can be sprayed on other plants to help repel insects\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSprigs in a vase in the kitchen will deter flies in the summer\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eGOOD FOR YOUR COMPOST HEAP\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eChopped plants added to your compost heap help produce an accessible potassium mix\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eHISTORICAL\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAn aromatic strewing herb in the Middle Ages, and medicinal uses since the Ancient Greeks include help with bruising, rheumatism, varicose veins and sprains.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCAUTION\u003c\/strong\u003e: Don't ingest Tansy at all if pregnant, don’t grow near grazing farm animals, can cause contact skin irritation.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"MoreVeg Seeds","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49824658063636,"sku":"HBTAN","price":0.75,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0918\/3133\/7236\/files\/tansy.png?v=1754586576"},{"product_id":"dyers-chamomile-anthemis-tinctoria","title":"Dyers Chamomile (Cote tinctoria)","description":"\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA vibrant plant with a rich history, \u003cstrong\u003eDyers Chamomile\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003e(Cota tinctoria)\u003c\/em\u003e has been used since medieval times to produce a warm lemony yellow.  It is also a wonderful plant for bumble bees, solitary bees \u0026amp; hoverflies: all are gardeners’ friends. The aromatic, silvery-green, feathery foliage is covered with pretty yellow daisy-like flowers.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e🌸 Flowering: summer \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e📏 Height: 40-100cm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e🌿 Short-lived perennial, best grown as a biennial\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e💧 Drought tolerant\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSow\u003c\/strong\u003e: in spring or early autumn, in trays or small pots, either surface sow and seal in a bag until germination OR lightly cover, keep warm.  Sowing in autumn produces larger plants but you will need to over winter in a well-ventilated, cool frost-free place as necessary.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGrow\u003c\/strong\u003e:  when they are large enough to handle, pot up individually into 8cm pots and grow on in a cool frame before planting out into a sunny position with well-drained soil.  In rich soil they grow lusher and taller, but can become floppy.  They are quite happy in poorer, well-drained soil, where they won't grow as tall. If the plants are cut back close to the ground before the flowering finishes, in September, they will produce some new growth before the growing season ends, which helps the plants to overwinter.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEnjoy\u003c\/strong\u003e: bright, strong yellow flowers: that’s the reason Dyers Chamomile is also known as Golden Marguerite. Grow yourself a patch and you'll have plenty of cheerful colour for the garden, the vase and, of course, the dye pot.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e🎨 Natural dye plant\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe yellow flower heads produce warm lemon-yellow shades.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePick the larger mature flowers regularly through summer. They can be used fresh, dried or frozen, so you can gradually build up enough for your dye pot. Regular picking also encourages the plants to keep flowering.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eYou'll need plenty of flowers for dyeing, so if that's your main reason for growing Dyers Chamomile, give yourself a small patch rather than growing just one or two plants.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFor a first dye bath, aim for roughly twice to four times the weight of flowers to the dry weight of fabric. Use more if the flowers are fresh. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFor cotton, linen or hemp, prepare the fabric first with an aluminium lactate mordant or a soymilk binder. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSimmer the flower heads in water for about an hour, strain, then add the prepared, pre-soaked fabric and simmer for another hour. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe dye bath can be used again, although subsequent colours will be paler.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe yellow has reasonably good lightfastness.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e🏡 In your garden\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCottage and informal gardens\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMediterranean plantings\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFlower borders and beds\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBanks and slopes\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCutting gardens\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDyers gardens\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e✂️ Cut flower\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe cheerful yellow flowers are lovely in a vase, although each one you cut is one less for the dye pot. Decisions, decisions!\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFresh vase life of 7 to 14 days\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e🐝 Pollinator friendl\u003c\/strong\u003ey\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRHS Plants for Pollinators recommended\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e📜 Traditional uses\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDyers Chamomile has been used as a dye plant since medieval times, producing its characteristic warm yellow shades\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e💡 Did you know?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: Aptos; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;\"\u003eCota tinctoria\u003cb\u003e \u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: Aptos; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;\"\u003eand \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eAnthemis tinctoria\u003c\/em\u003e are exactly the same plant. \u003cem\u003eCota tinctoria\u003c\/em\u003e is now the accepted botanical name, but you'll still frequently find Dyers Chamomile and its garden varieties listed under the older name \u003cem\u003eAnthemis tinctoria\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"MoreVeg Seeds","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49824670712084,"sku":"HBDCH","price":0.6,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0918\/3133\/7236\/files\/Chamomile_Dyers_ml.jpg?v=1732816923"},{"product_id":"burdock","title":"Burdock","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBurdock \u003c\/strong\u003eis a popular Japanese root vegetable.  The taproot can be baked, roasted, boiled, or fried: as you would for a potato. It’s also delicious simmered in soy and rice wine. Harvest the root at the end of its first year of growth, when it's full of vigour. Biennial.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e🌱\u003cstrong\u003e Seasonal Growing Guide\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSOW: in April or May, plant individual seeds in pots, 5mm deep. No need for protection. When seedlings are large enough, transplant them into their final growing spot.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGROW: Burdock thrives in deeply dug soil, whether in sun or shade. Harvest when the root is vigorous at the end of its first year.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTIP: Burdock’s large leaves die back in winter, so mark their location to easily find them when it's time to harvest.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEnjoy\u003c\/strong\u003e: Burdock is a unique and rewarding root vegetable to grow in your garden, adding both diversity and flavor to your harvest. Its versatility in cooking makes it a great addition to your home-grown produce!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e🎨 Natural dye plant\u003c\/strong\u003e: the roots and seed burs can be used. They give a range of colours, from yellow to brown, in warm, earthy tones.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"MoreVeg Seeds","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49824671596820,"sku":"HBBUR","price":1.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0918\/3133\/7236\/files\/BURDOCK_ml.jpg?v=1732816980"},{"product_id":"hollyhock-black-single","title":"Hollyhock Black Single","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHollyhock Black Single\u003c\/strong\u003e has stunning, silky flowers in the deepest purple — so dark they look black in the sun — with a bright yellow throat. For extra impact, grow them in front of a pale wall to really show off the colour. A great choice for wildlife-friendly gardens, as bees and butterflies love the open, single flowers. These bloom the year after sowing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003e🌸 Flowering: June to August (from second year)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003e📏 Height: 150-180cm\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003e🌿Perennial \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSow\u003c\/strong\u003e: start sowing from April to early June, either thinly in a seed bed or in trays or pots of seed compost. Cover them lightly with compost or vermiculite and keep them somewhere warm and bright—around 18–20°C is ideal. Later sowings can go in a cold frame. Germination usually takes 10–14 days. Once seedlings are big enough to handle, pot up the stronger ones and grow them on.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGrow\u003c\/strong\u003e: plant out in September or October, spacing them 30-60cm apart in their final spot — the wider spacing helps improve airflow around your plants. They’ll settle in over winter and flower the following summer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThey like a sunny, sheltered spot, and might need a bit of staking once they shoot up.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEnjoy\u003c\/strong\u003e: the rich, dramatic colour might just spark a love for dark flowers. Plant near a light backdrop to really make them pop. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e📌USES:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNatural dye plant\u003c\/strong\u003e – flowers can produce a range of colors, from deep purples to blues, greens and even grays...dyeing information will be added as soon as I can - R\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGreat for pollinators\u003c\/strong\u003e – much loved by bees and butterflies\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHousehold use\u003c\/strong\u003e – flower spikes can be cut, Either sear the stems or invert, fill with tepid water and keep it trapped with your finger as you put it in a pre-filled vase.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"MoreVeg Seeds","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49824682115348,"sku":"FLWHOB","price":1.5,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0918\/3133\/7236\/files\/hollyhockblacksingle_bff76e13-92ac-471e-bfce-8e4e6cf36da8.png?v=1751911077"},{"product_id":"fennel-bronze","title":"Fennel Bronze","description":"\u003cp\u003eBeautiful bronze-tinged, feathery foliage and a light, airy habit, perfect for borders or as a fabulous feature plant. \u003cstrong\u003eBronze Fennel\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cem\u003eFoeniculum vul. ‘Purpureum’\u003c\/em\u003e, is a perennial. The leaves can be chopped and used in a variety of dishes, such as potato salads, herb butter, cream cheese, soups (hot or cold), and to enhance grilled meats and fish (more ideas below). This plant is loved by bees and beneficial insects. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e🌱 \u003cstrong\u003eSeasonal Growing Guide\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSPRING\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFrom March to July, sow in plug trays, cover with perlite or similar, and provide bottom heat to encourage germination.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTransplant into pots or the garden once plants are large enough and the soil has warmed.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSUMMER\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePick young stems and leaves for culinary use.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAUTUMN\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDivide established plants to encourage fresh growth.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWINTER\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTidy up older plants, as fennel will die back into the ground during the colder months.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e📌\u003cstrong\u003eUSES\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e🍴 Edible\u003c\/strong\u003e: Fennel goes very well with fatty meats such as pork or in stuffing for poultry \u0026amp; lamb. Try cooking fish on a bed of fennel sticks. You can infuse oil or vinegar with fennel leaves.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e🎨 Natural dye plant\u003c\/strong\u003e: use fresh whole shoots of Bronze Fennel from spring to autumn to create beautiful, natural golds and browns.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"MoreVeg Seeds","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49824687390996,"sku":"HBFEB","price":0.9,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0918\/3133\/7236\/files\/fennelbronze.jpg?v=1751735737"},{"product_id":"foxglove-purpurea","title":"Foxglove purpurea","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFoxglove \u003cem\u003eDigitalis Purpurea\u003c\/em\u003e \u003c\/strong\u003eis a magnificent and very well-known British wildflower. It grows along verges and hedgerows, in woodland edges and clearings. It is an important plant for pollinators and it even has its very own moth that eats it! In the first year it will grow its roots and leaves, in its second year that towering flower stem will shoot upwards.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003e🌸 Flowering: May to late July\u003cbr\u003e📏 Height: up to 180cm \u003cbr\u003e🌿 Biennial\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSow:\u003c\/strong\u003e from early spring or in the autumn in pots, aiming for 10–15 seeds per pot. Don’t cover the seeds, press them gently onto a moist surface because they need light to germinate. Mix seed with fine sand for even sowing. Keep at about 18°C; germination takes 3–4 weeks in spring, longer in autumn. When large enough, pot the strongest seedlings individually. For spring sowings, transplant in autumn. For autumn sowings, grow on over winter and plant out the following spring. Space 30–50cm apart. Can be sown directly from April to September.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGrow:\u003c\/strong\u003e they thrive in partial shade in most well-drained soil types. They’ll manage sun if their roots are cool under a layer of mulch. Water during summer if there has not been much rainfall. Leave some flower spikes to set seed if you'd like them to find their own places around the garden for future years.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEnjoy:\u003c\/strong\u003e after a year of sitting quietly as a rosette of leaves, voilà, watch that enormous flower spike rise. And once those bells begin to open, it really does become a garden spectacle.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e🏡 In your garden\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003e•    Coastal gardens\u003cbr\u003e•    Wildflower meadows and woodland plantings\u003cbr\u003e•    City and courtyard gardens\u003cbr\u003e•    Cottage and informal gardens\u003cbr\u003e•    Pollinator plantings\u003cbr\u003e•    Flower borders and beds\u003cbr\u003e•    Cutting Gardens (with care)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e✂️ Cut flower\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003e•    Adds wonderful height and structure to larger arrangements\u003cbr\u003e•    Fresh vase life is 5 to 7 days\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e🐝 Pollinator friendly\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003e•    RHS Plants for Pollinators recommended\u003cbr\u003e•    Long-tongued bumblebees visit the tubular flowers to drink nectar\u003cbr\u003e•    Honeybees and butterflies will sometimes feed on the nectar-rich blooms, though the flower's shape is ideally suited for larger bees\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e🐞 Wildlife friendly\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFood plant for the foxglove pug moth.  The caterpillars eat the stamens and the developing seeds inside the flowers\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e🎨 Natural dye plant\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003e•    It can be used as a dye plant; however, the colours on cotton, linen and hemp are very pale, weak yellow-green tones that wash out easily\u003cbr\u003e•    For a more reliable yellow\/green dye that bonds well with cotton, choose Dyer's Chamomile\u003cbr\u003e•    All parts of Foxglove plants are toxic, so great care must be taken in the dyeing process and when discarding plant residue\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e💡 Did you know?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIn 1785 British physician William Withering published his famous study of foxglove and its use in treating dropsy, now recognised as fluid retention often associated with heart failure. His work helped lay the foundations for the later development of digitalis heart medicines. \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e Foxglove has gathered some wonderful names over the centuries, including Bloody Finger, Cow Flop, Dead Man's Bells, Witches' Bells and Dragon's Mouth. Some are enchanting; others give a rather stronger hint that this beautiful plant is poisonous!\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e⚠️ CAUTION\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAll parts of the foxglove plant are poisonous if eaten. Wash your hands after handling and keep seeds and plants away from children and pets.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"MoreVeg Seeds","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53716228997396,"sku":"FLWFGP","price":0.6,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0918\/3133\/7236\/files\/digitalisfoxglove_wales.jpg?v=1787652739"},{"product_id":"linum-sky-blue","title":"Linum Sky Blue","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLinum Sky Blue\u003c\/strong\u003e has the most beautiful flowers in the shade of a perfect summer’s day. These plants are covered in a profusion of blooms that sway in summer breezes.  Both useful and edible, it is the flowers that are the highlight for your garden…although I do sneak it in among my herbs!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003e🌸 Flowering: Summer\u003cbr\u003e📏 Height: up to 90cm\u003cbr\u003e🌿 Annual\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSow: \u003c\/strong\u003ein spring (March to June) once the threat of heavy frost has passed. Sow seeds thinly on the surface then lightly cover. Keep the soil moist until germination (usually 10-21 days), then water regularly while establishing. For seeds sown in late summer, use deeper modules that will allow the whole root ball to be moved with minimal disturbance, overwinter in coo,l frost-free conditions and plant out carefully the following spring.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGrow:\u003c\/strong\u003e thrives in light, sandy or loamy soil with good drainage.  Plants need about a 10cm spacing so thin them out if necessary. These thinnings have roots that can easily be damaged and won’t transplant very well. Deadhead spent flowers to prolong the flowering period.  May and June sowings can flower into August and sometimes early September.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEnjoy: \u003c\/strong\u003ebring the sky down to your garden, plant as a fabulous drift or pop it amongst your herbs for delightful pops of heavenly blue.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e🏡 In your garden\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003e•    Informal and cottage gardens\u003cbr\u003e•    Rock gardens\u003cbr\u003e•    Wildlife and pollinator plantings\u003cbr\u003e•    Borders and beds\u003cbr\u003e•    Annual drifts\u003cbr\u003e•    Herb gardens\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e🐝 Pollinator friendly\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003eIt attracts foraging insects, including honeybees, bumblebees, and various butterflies.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e🐞 Wildlife friendly\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003eSeed capsules left on the plants into the autumn and winter provide a food source for small seed-eating birds\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e🍴 Edible\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003eThe small, glossy seeds that can be harvested from your plants are the main edible part. They can be eaten raw, toasted, ground or cooked.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e🎨 Natural dye plant\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003e•    This flax can produce a soft yellow dye or an olive-green shade if modified with an iron mordant\u003cbr\u003e•    Use a tannin pre-treatment followed by an alum mordant to bind the colour to cotton, linen or hemp\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e💡 Did you know?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003eThis is flax, the plant that gives us both linseed oil and the fibres used to make linen. Humans have been growing it for thousands of years. For the Latin-minded amongst you, it's \u003cem\u003eLinum usitatissimum\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"MoreVeg Seeds","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53727699304724,"sku":"FLWLSB","price":0.9,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0918\/3133\/7236\/files\/linumskyblue.jpg?v=1787831001"},{"product_id":"lupin-sunrise","title":"Lupin Sunrise","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLupin Sunrise\u003c\/strong\u003e is spectacular in the garden and it has a colour-changing trick up its petals (more of that later). Bumblebees are common visitors to these blooms. It’s a great cut flower, fragrant and eye-catching. And it’s an easy-to-grow annual.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003e🌸 Flowering: summer \u003cbr\u003e📏 Height: to 1m \u003cbr\u003e🌿 Annual\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSow:\u003c\/strong\u003e from March to May. These are best sown where they are going to flower as the roots are easily damaged.  Soak the seeds overnight. Space seeds about 25-30cm apart (mark the position) and sow about 6mm deep. Seedlings should emerge in 2-3 weeks. You can sow in individual pots and plant carefully when young to minimise disturbing the roots.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGrow:\u003c\/strong\u003e Lupins hate sitting in soggy soil, they do better with sharp drainage. They like a sunny spot or a bit of partial shade. Once they get going they don’t need much; they may need staking if it’s a windy spot.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEnjoy:\u003c\/strong\u003e these are lovely in a group, and keep an eye on how they change as the flowers mature and the bees work their way around the blooms!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e🏡 In your garden\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003e•    Coastal gardens\u003cbr\u003e•    Cottage and informal gardens\u003cbr\u003e•    Flower borders and beds\u003cbr\u003e•    Pollinator plantings\u003cbr\u003e•    Cutting gardens\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e✂️ Cut flower\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003e•    Fresh vase life of 5 to 7 days\u003cbr\u003e•    Cut when the lowest flowers are just starting to open\u003cbr\u003e•    Cut early in the morning, trim the stem at a diagonal and quickly place them in water.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e🐝 Pollinator friendly\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003e•    A good source of pollen for bees that have the weight and muscle!\u003cbr\u003e•    Look out for the different species of bumblebees that can manage the flower access.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e🎨 Natural dye plant\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003e•    Flowers can produce soft greens and muted yellow-greens\u003cbr\u003e•    Stalks and leaves can yield warmer shades of yellow, with more earthy tones \u003cbr\u003e•    Cotton, linen and hemp will need a tannin bath first, then an alum mordant\u003cbr\u003e•    Prepare the dye bath taking care to keep it below boiling, then steep the fabric overnight for the best colour saturation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e💡 Did you know?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLupin Sunrise has a colour-changing secret. The bright markings on the flowers help guide visiting bees, and as the flowers are visited and mature their colours change, creating a shifting pattern up the flower spike. It's a clever visual signal that helps bees concentrate their efforts on the fresher flowers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e⚠️ CAUTION\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHarmful if eaten.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"MoreVeg Seeds","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53733489475860,"sku":"FLWLSR","price":2.5,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0918\/3133\/7236\/files\/LupinSunrise.jpg?v=1787916305"},{"product_id":"lupin-russell-mix","title":"Lupin Russell Mix","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLupin Russell Mix\u003c\/strong\u003e is just great in your garden.  The strong, vibrant colours make a real splash. Their height makes them perfect for peeking over lower plants. Those blooms support pollinators, in particular bumblebees, and are just as good as a cut flower as they are staying in your garden. Indeed picking them can encourage more to follow.  And of course, they are a reliable perennial returning year after year. It doesn’t matter what sort of garden you have, lupins fit right in. Have I convinced you yet?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003e🌸 Flowering: May to July\u003cbr\u003e📏 Height: 90-110cm \u003cbr\u003e🌿 Perennial \u003cbr\u003e💧 Drought tolerant once established\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSow: \u003c\/strong\u003esoak the seeds overnight in warm water before sowing.  Sow into individual pots about 6mm deep. Keep in a warm place at 18-20C. Germination usually takes 18-21 days but can be as long as 60 days! You can sow from February to June or in September.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGrow:\u003c\/strong\u003e when the seedlings are large enough pot up as needed and grow on in cooler conditions until it’s time to harden off. Plant out carefully (so the roots don’t get damaged) after danger of frost has passed. They like good drainage in sun or dappled shade. Space your plants 30-45cm apart. They may need staking in windier places.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEnjoy:\u003c\/strong\u003e I’ve given a plethora of reasons to choose these lupins. Really, all that's left is to grow them and enjoy them!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e🏡 In your garden\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003e•    City and courtyard gardens\u003cbr\u003e•    Cottage and informal gardens\u003cbr\u003e•    Coastal sites\u003cbr\u003e•    Flower borders and beds\u003cbr\u003e•    Cutting gardens\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e✂️ Cut flower\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003e•    Fresh vase life 5 to 7 days\u003cbr\u003e•    Cut the stems when the lower flowers are just opening\u003cbr\u003e•    Quickly place the stems into deep, cool water\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e🐝 Pollinator friendly\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe pea-like individual florets provide a reliable food source for bumblebees and other pollinators during late spring and early summer\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e🎨 Natural dye plant\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003e•    The colours depend on what you use.  The leaves and blooms together can produce shades of green, while the stalks and leaves produce yellow tones\u003cbr\u003e•    Flower colours alone can be quite varied but need to be prepared taking care to keep the dye bath below boiling. Blue\/purple shades are particularly difficult to achieve. \u003cbr\u003e•    For cotton, hemp and linen fabrics you need a tannin bath first, then an alum mordant before dyeing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e💡 Did you know?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYour brightly coloured Russell Lupins love to cross-pollinate. If you let them seed around, don't expect their youngsters to look exactly like their parents. Over the years you may find the colour balance changing as new generations appear.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e⚠️ CAUTION\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHarmful if eaten.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"MoreVeg Seeds","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53733527781652,"sku":"FLWLRS","price":1.25,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0918\/3133\/7236\/files\/lupinrusselmixed.jpg?v=1787917313"},{"product_id":"tithonia-torch","title":"Tithonia Torch","description":"\u003cp\u003eFor some hot, fiery colour add \u003cstrong\u003eTithonia Torch\u003c\/strong\u003e to your garden. Those fabulous orange-red blooms keep going until the first frosts. In its native Mexico it grows to 180cm, although here it tends to reach around 100–120cm unless it finds the perfect spot. That’s still quite impressive and the flowers alone are amazing. Colour, happy pollinators, cut flowers, or some natural dyeing, there’s much to love about Tithonia.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003e🌸 Flowering: mid-summer to first frosts \u003cbr\u003e📏 Height: to 120cm, possibly taller \u003cbr\u003e🌿 Annual \u003cbr\u003e💧 Drought tolerant once established\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSow:\u003c\/strong\u003e March to April. Surface sow onto moist, well-drained seed compost and barely cover with vermiculite; some light is needed for germination. Put on a windowsill. Germination takes 7-21 days. Pot up if necessary. Harden off before planting outside once danger of frost has passed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGrow:\u003c\/strong\u003e space the plants 50cm apart in full sun in lean, well-drained soil. If you are too kind this plant can become leggy and prone to flopping. Pinching encourages the plants to branch and deadheading encourages more flowers to appear. They may need staking if it turns windy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEnjoy:\u003c\/strong\u003e this Mexican Sunflower puts on a great show: lots of fiery floral colour for remarkably little fuss.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e🏡 In your garden\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003e•    Cottage and informal gardens\u003cbr\u003e•    Prairie-style planting\u003cbr\u003e•    Flower borders and beds, middle to the back\u003cbr\u003e•    Pollinator plantings\u003cbr\u003e•    Cutting gardens\u003cbr\u003e•    Vegetable gardens\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e✂️ Cut flower\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003e•    Fresh vase life 4 to 7 days\u003cbr\u003e•    Cut with a sharp knife to avoid squeezing or crushing the stems\u003cbr\u003e•    Pop straight into water\u003cbr\u003e•    Remove lower leaves before putting in a vase\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e🐝 Pollinator friendly\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003e•    RHS Plants for Pollinators recommended\u003cbr\u003e•    Popular with bees, beneficial insects and other pollinators, including Hummingbird Moths\u003cbr\u003e•    Flowering to the first frosts, it provides a valuable late-season food source\u003cbr\u003e•    Look out for some of our larger butterflies amongst the many visitors\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e🐞 Wildlife friendly\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003e•    Late in the season small birds will eat the ripening seeds\u003cbr\u003e•    The hollow stems can provide shelter for overwintering beneficial insects\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e🎨 Natural dye plant\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003e•    The blooms can produce colours ranging from yellows and golds to soft oranges\u003cbr\u003e•    Cotton, linen and hemp fabric need a tannin bath followed by an alum bath\u003cbr\u003e•    Extract the dye by simmering a large amount of flowers for about 45 minutes. After straining, simmer the fabric in the dye bath for another hour. For deeper, stronger shades let the fabric cool completely in the pot overnight\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e📜 Traditional uses\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003e•    Tithonia has a long history of use in traditional medicine. The leaves have been made into pastes for use on the skin, while preparations from the plant have been used in remedies for everything from digestive complaints and menstrual cramps to fever.\u003cbr\u003e•    That's part of the plant's traditional story rather than something we're suggesting you try. We don't promote plants for medicinal use; always seek appropriate professional advice and reliable health information.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"MoreVeg Seeds","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53840658268436,"sku":"FLWTTH","price":2.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0918\/3133\/7236\/files\/TithoniaTorch.jpg?v=1788084249"},{"product_id":"dyers-weld-reseda-luteola","title":"Dyers Weld (Reseda luteola)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDyers Weld \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cem\u003e(Reseda luteola)\u003c\/em\u003e, also known as Dyer's Rocket, has been valued as a dye plant since Roman times, producing the brilliant, clear yellow for which it became famous. It spends its first year as a fairly unassuming rosette of long green leaves, then comes the rocket bit! In its second year tall flower spikes shoot upwards, carrying masses of tiny yellow flowers through summer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e🌸 Flowering: June to August \u003cbr\u003e📏 Height: to 1.5m\u003cbr\u003e🌿 Biennial \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSow: \u003c\/strong\u003efrom March to April or July to September, ideally where you want the plants to grow. The tiny seeds need light to germinate, so sow thinly onto finely prepared soil and don't cover them. You can also sow into modules, but Dyers Weld dislikes root disturbance, so transplant the young plants carefully.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGrow:\u003c\/strong\u003e choose a sunny spot with well-drained soil, preferably on the alkaline side. Don't be tempted to feed it too generously. Weld grown with plenty of nitrogen may look lush, but can produce less dye. Keep young plants watered while they establish, particularly during hot, dry weather.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEnjoy:\u003c\/strong\u003e the first year is all about leaves, but be patient. In its second year those low rosettes send up tall, slender flower spikes that can reach 1.5m. The flowers themselves may be small, but en masse they give the plant a lovely light, airy look. And when flowering starts, that's when your dye harvest is almost ready.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e🎨 Natural dye plant\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003e•    Weld produces a brilliant, clear yellow with very good lightfastness and has long been regarded as one of the finest yellow dye plants.\u003cbr\u003e•    Almost all of the plant above ground can go into the dye pot, including the leaves, flowers, seed capsules and stems. Leave the roots in the ground.\u003cbr\u003e•    Harvest just after flowering begins, when the dye content is at its best. The plants can be used fresh or dried and stored for later.\u003cbr\u003e•    For a first dye bath, aim for roughly twice the weight of fresh Weld to the dry weight of fabric, or about the same weight of dried Weld as fabric.\u003cbr\u003e•    For cotton, linen or hemp, prepare the fabric first with a tannin bath followed by an alum mordant.\u003cbr\u003e•    Chop the Weld, cover with water and simmer gently for about an hour before allowing it to cool and straining. If you have soft water, adding a little chalk can help as Weld gives better results in harder water.\u003cbr\u003e•    Add your prepared, pre-soaked fabric to the dye bath, slowly bring to a simmer for about an hour, then turn off the heat and leave to cool overnight.\u003cbr\u003e•    The dye bath can be used again for paler shades.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e🏡 In your garden\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003e•    Cottage and informal gardens\u003cbr\u003e•    Wildlife gardens\u003cbr\u003e•    Gravel gardens\u003cbr\u003e•    Flower borders and beds\u003cbr\u003e•    Pollinator plantings\u003cbr\u003e•    Cutting gardens\u003cbr\u003e•    Dyers gardens\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e🐝 Pollinator friendly\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003e•    The small flowers provide pollen and nectar for visiting insects\u003cbr\u003e•    Particularly valuable to yellow-face bees. The mignonette yellow-face bee (Hylaeus signatus) has a strong association with Weld and other Reseda species\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e✂️ Cut flower\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003e•    Vase life of 5 to 7 days\u003cbr\u003e•    The flower spikes have a sweet, honey-like fragrance\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e📜 Traditional uses\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWeld was one of the most important yellow dye plants of the Roman world, prized for the brilliant, lasting yellow it produced. \u003cbr\u003eIt was used to dye the robes worn by the Vestal Virgins and was also associated with Roman wedding garments.\u003cbr\u003eCenturies later Weld remained an important European dye plant, used for textiles and to make yellow lake pigments.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e💡 Did you know?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe yellow colouring compound found in Weld is called luteolin.\u003cem\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"MoreVeg Seeds","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53966534672660,"sku":"HBDYWE","price":1.75,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0918\/3133\/7236\/files\/DyersWeldDyersResedaLuteola.jpg?v=1788886500"},{"product_id":"dyers-woad-isatis-tinctoria","title":"Dyers Woad (Isatis tinctoria)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWoad \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e(Isatis tinctoria)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e \u003c\/strong\u003eis the plant behind one of the most extraordinary colours you can grow. Its blue-green leaves contain the natural compounds that create its famous blue dye. Easy to grow and remarkably productive, Woad gives you plenty to experiment with before it puts on a completely different show in its second year.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e🌸 Flowering: May to August\u003cbr\u003e📏 Height: up to 1.2m in flower\u003cbr\u003e🌿 Biennial \u003cbr\u003e💧 Drought tolerant once established\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSow: \u003c\/strong\u003efrom March to April or August to September. Sow thinly into shallow drills, lightly cover with soil and water well, then thin seedlings to about 30cm apart. Alternatively sow into modules and plant out while still small, taking care not to disturb the developing taproot. Spring sowings establish during their first summer, while late summer sowings form small rosettes before winter for an earlier start the following year.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGrow: \u003c\/strong\u003e in full sun in well-drained soil. Woad will tolerate poorer conditions, but fertile soil encourages plenty of leafy growth and gives you more material to play with. Keep young plants free from competition while they establish. Harvest the mature outer leaves through summer, leaving the centre intact to regrow for further pickings. As Woad belongs to the cabbage family, avoid growing it where other brassicas have recently been grown if club root is a problem in your garden. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEnjoy: \u003c\/strong\u003eWoad is a plant of two halves. In its first year it grows as a handsome blue-green rosette, giving you harvest after harvest of dye leaves through the summer. Leave a plant into its second year and it sends up tall stems covered in clouds of small yellow flowers, followed by striking blue-black seed heads that look wonderful dried. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e🎨 Natural dye plant\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003e•    Grow your Woad → harvest some leaves → prepare a cotton T-shirt → bash the living daylights out of it → end up with something you've actually made.\u003cbr\u003e•    Woad is grown for its leaves. They don't actually contain blue pigment, but natural compounds that can be extracted and converted into the famous Woad blue.\u003cbr\u003e•    You can usually take three or four harvests through summer. For the strongest colour, harvest after a spell of warm, sunny weather and use the leaves as soon as possible.\u003cbr\u003e•    A word about blue fingers! Wear gloves when harvesting and handling Woad leaves, and an apron when you're dyeing. Woad is very good at staining things, which is rather the point, but considerably less entertaining when the thing it has dyed blue is you or your clothes.\u003cbr\u003e•    There is more than one way to get colour from Woad. Leaf bashing is the simplest and gives greens, blues and turquoises. Salt extraction uses fresh leaves and salt to produce teal greens to teal blues. A dye pot is the most involved and unpredictable method, but it's the route to the strongest Woad blues.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e🔨 And now for the Leaf bashing \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003eThis is the simplest, and certainly the most energetic, way to start experimenting with Woad! \u003cbr\u003e•    Prepare your fabric first. For cotton, linen or hemp, use a tannin bath followed by an alum mordant.\u003cbr\u003e•    You'll need fresh Woad leaves, a rubber mallet and some cardboard to protect the surface underneath. A hammer isn't ideal unless holes in your T-shirt are part of the plan!\u003cbr\u003e•    Turn the T-shirt inside out and lay it on the cardboard. Place fresh Woad leaves between the front and back so you've made a T-shirt sandwich, then start bashing. Keep going until the colour begins to show through the fabric. It's surprisingly good for getting rid of a bit of repressed angst too!\u003cbr\u003e•    Turn the T-shirt right side out and hang it in the shade, leaving the bashed leaves attached. Over the next couple of hours the colours oxidise in the air and you will see shades of green, blue and turquoise developing.\u003cbr\u003e•    Don't be tempted to iron or rinse while it's still damp.  Leave the T-shirt to dry completely, then brush away the leaf debris. Once it has been dry for 24 hours, iron it before gently washing. Leave to dry again.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e🏡 In your garden\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003e•    Cottage and informal gardens\u003cbr\u003e•    Prairie planting\u003cbr\u003e•    Wildlife gardens\u003cbr\u003e•    Flower borders and beds\u003cbr\u003e•    Pollinator plantings\u003cbr\u003e•    Dyers gardens\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e🐝 Pollinator friendly\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e The yellow flowers provide pollen and nectar for bees and other visiting pollinators\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e💡 Did you know?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWoad isn't only about dyeing fabric. Extracts from the plant have also found their way into wood treatments and protective coatings.\u003cem\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"MoreVeg Seeds","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53966669119764,"sku":"HBDYWO","price":1.75,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0918\/3133\/7236\/files\/Woad.jpg?v=1788887551"},{"product_id":"eschscholzia-mikado","title":"Eschscholzia Mikado","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEschscholzia Mikado\u003c\/strong\u003e glows with a vibrant orange centre that changes to hot-red on the petal edges.  Delicate and dancing in the slightest breeze, these are fabulous to see dotted about or en masse. They draw in a wide range of insects to their supply of rich pollen.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003e🌸 Flowering: June to September\u003cbr\u003e📏 Height: to 40cm\u003cbr\u003e🌿 Short-lived perennial, often grown as an annual\u003cbr\u003e💧 Drought tolerant once established\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSow:\u003c\/strong\u003e from mid-April (late March in a mild area) to May or August to October, where they are to flower, on open ground, barely covering the seeds. Germination takes 14-21 days. They like a well-drained site in a sunny position. You may need to thin them to about 15cm apart. They look lovely in the border or a more naturalised setting. Autumn sowings a mild area with well-drained soil do well.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGrow:\u003c\/strong\u003e the flowers stay tightly shut on cloudy days or at night. Sunlight is the key ingredient that opens them up for foraging insects. They thrive in poor, sandy or well-drained soils and handle dry conditions easily. Cut flowers regularly to encourage growth and to keep them flowering for longer. Deadhead if you do not want them to self-seed.  \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEnjoy:\u003c\/strong\u003e it’s those dancing colours that draw me back to these time and time again.  I pop them in amongst those green veggies that sit in the garden for ages: the broccoli, cabbages and cauliflowers look so much more enticing for a splash of colour.  \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e🏡 In your garden\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003e•    Cottage and informal gardens\u003cbr\u003e•    Coastal plots\u003cbr\u003e•    Gravel and rock gardens\u003cbr\u003e•    Pollinator plantings\u003cbr\u003e•    Flower borders and beds\u003cbr\u003e•    Dotted amongst veggies to help attract pollinators\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e✂️ Cut flower\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003e•    They also make a very pretty, but short-lasting, cut flower\u003cbr\u003e•    If you briefly sear the ends of the stems in boiling water then they will last a little longer \u003cbr\u003e•    Fresh vase life of up to 5 days\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e🐝 Pollinator friendly\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003e•    RHS Plants for Pollinators recommended\u003cbr\u003e•    Loved by bees and many other pollinating insects\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e🐞 Wildlife friendly\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003e•    Attracts hoverflies; the larvae of many species are useful aphid predators to have around the veg plot.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e🎨 Natural dye plant\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003e•    The flowers can be used for natural dyeing\u003cbr\u003e•    Produces soft yellow to golden tones\u003cbr\u003e•    For cotton, linen or hemp fabrics, the best results come from pre-treating the fabric with a tannin source (like gallnut extract) and then using alum or aluminium acetate.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"MoreVeg Seeds","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54029854146836,"sku":"FLWEMK","price":1.5,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0918\/3133\/7236\/files\/Eschscholzia_mikado.jpg?v=1789646960"},{"product_id":"marigold-safari-orange","title":"Marigold Safari Orange","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSafari Orange\u003c\/strong\u003e is all about the colour. Rich, bold, brash, in-your-face, out-and-out orange. There’s no mistaking it. I love it. They bring a ta-da to any space where green is predominant. The richness of them paired with taller white blooms, like little flaming uplighters! And not all that little, these have large flowers for their size: up to 5cm across. They are easy to grow and need minimal care – most of which is deadheading so you get even more flowers!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e🌸 Flowering: June to October\u003cbr\u003e📏 Height: to 25cm\u003cbr\u003e🌿 Annual\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSow:\u003c\/strong\u003e in March and April in trays of seed compost, sow 3mm deep, lightly covering with perlite, vermiculite or compost.  Seal in a plastic bag and keep at about 18-20C.  Germination takes 1-2 weeks.  Pot up into modules when large enough to handle.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGrow:\u003c\/strong\u003e they prefer full sun and well-draining soil. When your young plants reach around 6cm tall, harden off and plant out about 15cm apart.   For an edging, space a bit closer together. Grow some close to your tomatoes or pop some of them around your veg plot.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEnjoy: \u003c\/strong\u003eOK so if you are fully into pastels and pinks this is not for you. But for a hotter palette, they are perfect. With reds and greens they light things up while a pairing with white will cool them a little.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e🏡 In your garden\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003e•    Cottage and informal gardens\u003cbr\u003e•    Patio and container growing\u003cbr\u003e•    City and courtyard gardens\u003cbr\u003e•    Coastal sites\u003cbr\u003e•    Flower borders, beds and edging\u003cbr\u003e•    Pollinator plantings\u003cbr\u003e•    Cutting gardens\u003cbr\u003e•    Vegetable gardens\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e✂️ Cut flower\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003e•    Fresh vase life of 7 to 12 days.\u003cbr\u003e•    Suitable for mini-vases and short bud vases, perfect for low table settings.\u003cbr\u003e•    The foliage and blooms carry a pungent, citrus-like aroma that some people love and others find intense.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e🐝 Pollinator friendly\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003e•    The long flowering season is a steady food source for pollinators and other beneficial insects.\u003cbr\u003e🍴 Edible\u003cbr\u003e•    Be prepared for a strong spicy taste with a citrus edge.  Eat only the petals as the calyx is bitter.\u003cbr\u003e•    They are a colourful garnish. I find the heat of soup can tone down the spicy kick.\u003cbr\u003e•    I also love them with rice that has been cooked in turmeric for an orange-on-yellow visual combination…and any curry will cover the spice in the marigold!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e🎨 Natural dye plant\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003e•    The flowers can be used for natural dyeing.\u003cbr\u003e•    Prepare your cotton, hemp and linen fabrics using a tannin bath and then an alum mordant.\u003cbr\u003e•    Simmer the flower heads for an hour to release the colour. Strain out the flowers, then submerge your fabric and simmer for another hour.\u003cbr\u003e•    Leave your fabric in the dye bath to cool completely for deeper, stronger shades.\u003cbr\u003e•    The flowers will give you yellow and gold shades. You can use iron to ‘shift’ the colour to green shades.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e💡 Did you know?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere are several different types of marigold. French Marigolds (Tagetes patula), like Safari Orange, are compact and bushy. African Marigolds (Tagetes erecta) are taller with pom-pom style flowers. Signet Marigolds (Tagetes tenuifolia) stay low, form mounds and have single flowers.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"MoreVeg Seeds","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":67595978899732,"sku":"FLWMSO","price":2.25,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0918\/3133\/7236\/files\/marigoldsafariorange.jpg?v=1790701739"},{"product_id":"nasturtium-cherry-rose-jewel","title":"Nasturtium Cherry Rose Jewel","description":"\u003cp\u003eNasturtium Cherry Rose Jewel has striking, upward-facing, semi-double cherry-red to hot-pink flowers. The crumpled petals are mottled in different shades of those sumptuous colours. They look good enough to eat! And you can! Enjoy the rich colour as an edible edging or scattered among your flowers and vegetables.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e🌸 Flowering: June to September\u003cbr\u003e📏 Height: to 30cm \u003cbr\u003e🌿 Annual \u003cbr\u003e💧 Drought tolerant once established\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSow:\u003c\/strong\u003e under cover in pots or modules in February\/March, or in April\/May where they are to flower.  Harden off pot-sown plants before transplanting.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGrow: \u003c\/strong\u003ethey like free-draining soil and will thrive in poor soil.  Don’t feed, it encourages them to grow more leaves and fewer flowers. Pinching out the growing tip will encourage extra branching. Regular deadheading will promote more flowers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEnjoy:\u003c\/strong\u003e when it gets going this is one of the most sumptuous ground-cover plants you could ever wish for, and it can help suppress weeds too!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e🏡 In your garden\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"padding-left: 80px;\"\u003e•    Cottage and informal gardens\u003cbr\u003e•    Urban and courtyard gardens\u003cbr\u003e•    Gravel gardens\u003cbr\u003e•    Pots and containers\u003cbr\u003e•    Borders and edges\u003cbr\u003e•    Vegetable gardens\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e✂️ Cut flower\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003e•    Its mounding habit can produce stems long enough for posy arrangements and table settings\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e🐝 Pollinator friendly\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003e•    RHS Plants for Pollinators\u003cbr\u003e•    Attracting a range of pollinators like bees, butterflies, and also beneficial insects to your garden\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e🐞 Wildlife friendly\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003e•    Nasturtium leaves are a favoured food source for the caterpillars of certain butterflies, such as the Large White and Small White, they are rather partial to your brassicas too!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e🍴 Edible\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003e•    Young leaves and flowers have a peppery flavour\u003cbr\u003e•    This variety looks amazing scattered over a green salad\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e🎨 Natural dye plant\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003e•    Nasturtium colours are naturally fugitive. Even with tannin and alum mordants expect the colours to fade from sun exposure and washing\u003cbr\u003e•    Other textile art methods such as flower pounding can yield much more vibrant results, but the colours remain prone to fading\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e📜 Traditional uses\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003e•    Nasturtium has a long history of use in traditional medicine, including skin and scalp care and internal remedies. \u003cbr\u003e•    That's part of the plant's traditional story rather than something we're suggesting you try. We don't promote plants for medicinal use; always seek appropriate professional advice and reliable health information.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"MoreVeg Seeds","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":67596052463892,"sku":"FLWNCR","price":1.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0918\/3133\/7236\/files\/NasturtiumCherryRoseJewel.jpg?v=1790703406"},{"product_id":"scabiosa-atropurpurea-black-knight","title":"Scabiosa atropurpurea Black Knight","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScabiosa atropurpurea 'Black Knight'\u003c\/strong\u003e is dramatic. Bold, dark plum pincushion-like flowers, some with sharply contrasting white stigmas, appear from summer to autumn. Bees and butterflies are drawn to them, so are humans! They’ve got almost everything: colour, scent, a long flowering season, cutting and, if so inclined, a dye plant too!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003e🌸 Flowering: June to October\u003cbr\u003e📏 Height: to 90cm\u003cbr\u003e🌿 Short-lived perennial, grow as an annual\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSow:\u003c\/strong\u003e two approaches to choose from. Under cover early or late in the year, in trays, lightly cover the seeds, keep at 18-25C. Pot up when large enough and grow on until frost is past and you can plant them out.  Or direct sow, in April or May, thinning seedlings 15-30cm apart.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGrow:\u003c\/strong\u003e they like well-drained soil in a sunny spot. Regular deadheading or cutting will prolong flowering. Cutting back faded flower stems in autumn helps maintain plant health. A light mulch can protect the roots over winter. However, for reliable flowers it’s best grown as an annual.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEnjoy:\u003c\/strong\u003e I’ve done some dyeing, you need a lot of flowers, and that is something that Black Knight does very well.  But for pure pleasure seeing these amongst the other flowers is drama enough for me.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e🏡 In your garden\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003e•    Urban and courtyard gardens\u003cbr\u003e•    Coastal gardens\u003cbr\u003e•    Cottage and informal gardens\u003cbr\u003e•    Patio and container plants\u003cbr\u003e•    Meadow and naturalistic planting\u003cbr\u003e•    Pollinator planting\u003cbr\u003e•    Flower borders and beds\u003cbr\u003e•    Cutting gardens\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e✂️ Cut flower\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003e•    Fresh vase life of up to 10 days\u003cbr\u003e•    Cut when buds are just beginning to open and pop into lukewarm water\u003cbr\u003e•    Strip the lower leaves and cut the stem at a diagonal before putting in a vase\u003cbr\u003e•    Change the vase water and trim the stems every couple of days\u003cbr\u003e•    Fabulous paired with contrasting bright or lime-green foliage and flowers\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e🐝 Pollinator friendly\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003e•    RHS Plants for Pollinators recommended\u003cbr\u003e•    Honeybees, bumblebees, solitary bees and hoverflies frequently visit\u003cbr\u003e•    They attract a range of butterflies, so you could see the garden favourites (Small Tortoiseshell, Red Admiral, Painted Lady, Peacock, Meadow Brown and Common Blue) stopping by\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e🎨 Natural dye plant\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003e•    These can yield a wide range of shades ranging from deep greens and teals to blues, purples, and pinks. It all depends on the mordants and pH modifiers used\u003cbr\u003e•    Dried flower heads are more concentrated. Follow a low-and-slow route, simmering (not boiling) for an hour before leaving the flowers to steep overnight before straining.\u003cbr\u003e•    Start with tannin then alum mordants\u003cbr\u003e•    Add the wet fabric to the dye bath and bring it back to a gentle simmer for an hour, then leave it in the pot to cool completely before hanging in the shade to dry\u003cbr\u003e•    Even then the colours are considered fugitive. The tones shift and fade over time when exposed to sunlight and frequent washing. A small amount of iron water can improve the lightfastness but will shift the colour.\u003cbr\u003e•    For pinks and maroons add a splash of white vinegar to the dye bath, for the greens add a little sodium bicarbonate. Remember that these colours will shift again if you then use iron water.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e📜 Traditional uses\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003e•    The name Scabiosa comes from the Latin scabies, meaning “itch”, reflecting the plant's long-standing traditional use for treating itchy skin conditions.\u003cbr\u003e•    This is a historical use only, not a recommendation for medicinal use.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"MoreVeg Seeds","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":67599128264980,"sku":"FLWSBK","price":1.5,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0918\/3133\/7236\/files\/ScabosiaBlackKnight.jpg?v=1790759116"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0918\/3133\/7236\/collections\/Chamomile_Dyers_ml.jpg?v=1750849542","url":"https:\/\/moreveg.co.uk\/collections\/all-dyeing.oembed","provider":"MoreVeg Seeds","version":"1.0","type":"link"}