Seed Sources to Dye For

 I'm writing this post in the midst of a February "heat wave" in the San Francisco Bay Area. We've had temperatures in the mid-seventies during the day, which quickly cool to the high-fifties when the sun sets. Many people are out jogging, walking the dog, and starting their garden clean up. We all know this is temporary - in a few days we'll be back to the mid-sixties or lower. But it's enough to give us hope for the warm days to come, and to encourage us to think about garden plans. 

Hopi Red Dye Amaranth (Photo Credit: Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds)

I'm taking the opportunity to research seed sources for plants that are especially good for dyeing.

• In A Garden to Dye For, Chris McLaughlin recommends Peaceful Valley Farm & Seed Supply in Grass Valley, CA. Their online store, GrowOrganic.com, lists a "Garden to Dye For " seed collection for plants that make great botanical dyes, like African Marigold (Tagetes erecta), Chantenay Carrot (Daucus carota var. sativus), and Orange Calendula (Calendula officinalis). If it's out of stock, add your name to the waitlist.

• She also recommends Southern Exposure Seed Exchange in Mineral, Virginia as a source. A search for "dye plants" yields Calendula (C. officinalis), Coreopsis (Coreopsis tinctoria), and Hopi Dye Sunflower (Helianthus annuus).

• Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds in Mansfield, Missouri looks intriguing. They also carry Hopi Dye Sunflower, which dyes shades from dove gray to deep purple; and Hopi Red Dye Amaranth (Amaranthus cruentus x powellii), which dyes piki bread (and fabric?) a deep blue or purple.

• Closer to home is Siskiyou Seeds located in southwest Oregon. They carry two Dyer's Collections for the avid dyer and gardener. Dyer's Collection 1 includes: Cosmos (Cosmos spp.), Safflower orange (Carthamus tinctorius), and Zinnia scarlet (Zinnia spp.) and more. Dyer's Collection 2 includes: Amaranth Red Dye Plume (Amaranthus cruentus x A. powelli), Dyers Chamomile (Cota tinctoria), and Golden Yarrow (Achillea filipendulina) and others.

• I'm a loyal and long-standing client of Renee's Garden Seeds (stretching all the way back to its early days as Shepherd's Garden Seeds). Last year I planted the Marigold, Calendula and Coreopsis seeds with good results. 

Hopi Black Dye Sunflower (Photo Credit: Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds)

It's encouraging that seed providers are offering seeds collections for dyers, and that some seed descriptions now include historical and ethnobotanical information. Plant names can also help you discern whether plants are good for dyeing. Common names may have the word "Dyer" in them, such as Dyer's Chamomile or Dyer's Indigo. Latin names may include some variation of  tinctoria or tinctorius, such as Carthamus tinctorius or Cota tinctoria, which indicates the plant is good for dyeing. This information makes it easier to start including a few dye plants in the garden plan!