Safflower, carthamus tinctorius
Very widely grown plant, mostly for it’s use as a cooking oil. However, safflower’s first use was as a dye, and safflower dyed textiles have been discovered in Egyptian tombs. A small, thistle like plant with a cheerful poof of a yellow blossom, dyeing with safflower is a multi-step process where the first bath yields yellow, and subsequent baths give an incredible bright pink. Lovely coral shades can also be attained.
Direct seed after frost, thinly in rows 12” apart. Cover 3 times seed thickness with soil, press and water. Keep evenly moist. Also possible to start a month before planting. Germination make take up to 2 weeks. Prefers a well drained, sunny location and is well suited to dry regions, due to it’s long taproots.
Read more about dyeing with safflower here
Annual
Zones 3-9
When to sow: spring to late spring
Ease of germination: very good
Family: Daisy (Asteraceae)
Colourfastness: Medium
This listing is for a packet of seeds containing around 30 seeds.
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We have limited stock of this item and so it is not included in our 9 pack seed bundle.
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