These plants are selected for their ability to make natural dyes but many also produce beautiful flowers or provide habitat for pollinators. They can be grown as part of your regular garden or you can create your own dye garden! Many of these plants are rare and very hard to find.
We are partnering with Maddy Bartsch who farms a wide variety of dye plants at Get Bentz Farm in Northfield to offer these plants. Maddy has been growing and teaching about plant-based dyes since 2016 first in windowsills and community gardens and now on a larger scale at Get Bentz Farm. For Maddy, growing local color is their way of contributing to the creation of a thriving decentralized textile economy not dependent on petroleum based products.
Each plant is in a 2.5" pot. The plants will be available starting Friday, May 10th for pickup at the farm. We are sorry but we are unable to ship plants.
Weld (Reseda luteola)
Dye source: whole plant, flower stalks are most pigmented; Colors: clear yellow
Spacing needs: 1.5’ - 2’; Light needs: full sun or partial shade; Perennial or annual: biennial
Description: Plant when still small to not hamper taproot. A favorite of pollinators. Strong and lightfast yellow. Will form a rosette in its first year, followed by blooms that reach 4-6’ in its second year. Water regularly
Dyer’s Chamomile (Cota tinctoria)
Dye source: flowers and leaves; Colors: bright, crisp yellows
Spacing needs: 18”; Light needs: full sun; Perennial or annual: productive tender perennial
Description: Attracts beneficial insects. One of the most light and color fast yellows. Height: 1’ - 2’. Flowers start in summer and can be deadheaded to encourage the plants to keep flowering. Can handle drier areas once established.
African Marigolds (Tagetes erecta)
Dye source: flowers; Colors: yellows
Spacing needs: 10” - 12”; Light needs: full sun; Annual
Description: Produces huge blooms that are 2” - 3” in size. Deer-resistant. Plants grow up to 5 feet tall. May need support if in a windy area. Flowers begin in summer and can be deadheaded to encourage the plants to keep flowering until first frost. Water frequently.
French Marigold (Tagetes patula)
Dye source: flowers; Colors: yellows
Spacing needs: 8” - 10”; Light needs: full sun; Perennial or annual: annual.
Description: Deer-resistant. Height of 2’. Flowers start in summer and can be deadheaded to encourage the plants to keep flowering until first frost. Water frequently.
Red Upright Prairie Coneflower (Ratibida columnifera)
Dye source: flowers, stem and leaves (yellow); Colors: blueish sage, gray purple
Spacing needs: 18”; Light needs: full sun; Perennial or annual: perennial.
Description: Also known as Mexican Hat. Drought tolerant native. Pollinator friendly. Self seeds easily. Height: 1.5’ - 3’. Flowers start in summer and can be deadheaded to encourage the plants to keep flowering until first frost. Can handle drier areas once established.
Black Eyed Susans (Rudbeckia hirta)
Dye source: flowers and leaves; Colors: greens, blues, yellows
Spacing needs: 18”; Light needs: full sun; Perennial or annual: perennial.
Description: Native, pollinator-friendly and deer-resistant. Best greens come from fresh flowers with iron after bath. Self seeds easily. Height: 2’ - 3’. Flowers start in mid-summer and can be deadheaded to encourage the plants to keep flowering until first frost. Can handle drier areas once established.