Dyers Greenweed Genista tinctoria

Dyers Greenweed (Genista tinctoria) is a native plant in the UK although you rarely see it growing wild in its preferred habitat of heaths and open woodland.  Having said this, it is an adaptable plant and would be very happy in a sunny border or a dry spot in your garden.  Carrying bright yellow flowers, from June to September, in contrast to the narrow dark green leaves and stems.  Historically important, a strong yellow dye is obtained from the whole plant – especially from the flowers.  As a native plant Dyers Greenweed plays its part in the ecological balance: it is an important foodplant for a range of scarce moths and provides pollen and nectar for bees.

Fully hardy deciduous shrub. Height and spread 60-90cm.

Price for 25 seeds.

SOW: the seeds require cold stratification and are best sown in the autumn in pots in a cold frame or under a cloche. Seed placed in this way will benefit from the natural winter cold conditions which should offer ideal conditions for germination to occur in spring when the weather warms up.

Alternatively pre-soak stored seeds for 24 hours in warm water and sow in February - place in a cold frame or under a cloche

GROW: should only be transplanted when young, dislikes disturbance. Dyers Greenweed prefers a sunny spot that is well drained. 

USES:

Natural dye plant 

• Dyers Greenweed is a source of a strong yellow dye obtained from the whole plant – especially from the flowers. It is impractical to just harvest the flowers so best to harvest and use the flowering stem tips
• It is often used in Turkish carpets for warm, strong yellows and is mixed with madder for tangerine colours

Great for wildlife:

• Provides nectar and pollen for bees
• Food plant for 20 species of moths of which 5 only feed on this plant and are critically endangered.

Household use:

• To make brooms!

Historical uses:

• It was the favoured yellow dye used by the Vikings and evidence of its dye use have been found in the excavations in York
• When overdyed with woad it produces Robin Hood (Lincoln) Green.
• The young shoots and stems from some of the taller plants were once bound together for use as sweeping brooms – hence it also has the common name of dyer’s broom
• The powdered seeds were at one time used to make a plaster for broken limbs
• There are some historical medicinal uses for Dyers Greenweed but Important Don't ingest Genista tinctoria at all if pregnant & medicinal research does not support use.