WOAD ‘BIRMINGHAM’ SEEDS – Isatis tinctoria

(Pastel Blue Indigo Variety)
Dye Colour: Pastel Blue | Produced in: Ireland

Woad ‘Birmingham’ is a distinctive variant of Isatis tinctoria, originally developed in Canada and now grown and selected in Ireland. Recognised for its crinkled, waxy foliage and reliable first-year performance, this variety produces soft, refined pastel-blue dye when harvested at the right stage.

In its second year, plants develop tall stems reaching around 1 m in height, followed by foamy clusters of bright yellow flowers and seed production. As with other woad varieties, useful dye is produced primarily in the first growing season.

This variety is particularly suited to dyers exploring subtle tonal ranges, eco printing, and varietal comparisons within indigo plants.

Colour fastness: Medium to Good (depending on dye method)

🌱 Basic Growing Information

Sowing period
Late February to March (in trays)

Germination time
7–21 days at 15–18 °C (59–64 °F)

Height
Up to 1 m (3 ft)

Preferred location
Full sun with well-drained soil

✂️ Harvesting for Dye & Seed

First year
Harvest leaves from early June onwards for dyeing

Second year
Allow plants to flower and collect seed. Leaves no longer produce dye at this stage.

📦 Additional Details

Grown in Ireland
Germination rate: 56%
Approx. 50 seeds per packet
Irish seed licence: IE010713

Please note: Seeds and plants can only be shipped within Europe.

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BIENNIAL WELD SEEDS – Reseda luteola

(Traditional Yellow Dye Plant)
Dye Colour: Yellow | Produced in: Ireland

Weld (Reseda luteola) has been used for centuries as one of the most reliable sources of clear, lightfast yellow. A tall, elegant biennial, it produces slender spikes of tiny yellow flowers on architectural stems reaching up to 1.5 m in height.

Long valued in traditional and contemporary natural dye practice, Weld remains a cornerstone plant for dyers seeking consistent, high-quality colour from their own gardens.

Colour fastness: Excellent

🌱 Basic Growing Information

Life cycle
Biennial

Sowing
Mid March to Mid May

Germination time
Up to 3 weeks

Height
Up to 1.5 m

Preferred location
Full sun with well-drained, moderately fertile soil

Seeds are very fine and should be surface sown and lightly pressed into the compost.

✂️ Harvesting for Dye

Weld is typically harvested in its second year when in full flower. Although the whole plant contains dye, research and practice show that the highest pigment concentration is found in the leaves and flowers. For best colour yield, harvest at peak flowering.

📦 Additional Details

Open-pollinated & organically grown in Ireland
Germination: 62%                                                                                                                    Approx. 100+ seeds per packet
Irish seed licence: IE010713

Please note: Seeds and plants can only be shipped within Europe.

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ANNUAL WELD SEEDS – Reseda luteola

(Traditional Yellow Dye Plant)
Dye Colour: Yellow
Produced in: Ireland

Reseda luteola, commonly known as Weld, is one of the most important historic yellow dye plants, valued for its exceptional clarity and lightfastness. Its tall, slender flower spikes and narrow leaves produce strong, clean yellows that form the foundation for greens and oranges when overdyed with indigo or madder.

Weld is normally a biennial, flowering in its second year. However, this particular variety shows the unusual and reliable trait of flowering in its first year under Irish growing conditions. This makes it especially valuable for dyers seeking faster access to usable dye material, while still maintaining good colour quality.

A cornerstone plant for professional natural dye practice, Weld remains central to gardens focused on consistent, high-grade colour production.

Dye fastness: Excellent (one of the most lightfast natural yellows)

🌱 Basic Growing Information

Sowing period
Mid-March to mid-April indoors
Direct sow from mid-May

Germination time
8–14 days

Height
100–150 cm (40–60 in)

Preferred location
Full sun with well-drained soil
Tolerant of poor or dry ground

✂️ Harvesting for Dye

Harvest the whole plant when approximately half of the flower spikes are in bloom, which is when dye content is at its highest. Cut at the base and use fresh, or dry thoroughly for later use.

Leaves, stems, and flower spikes are all suitable for dyeing and produce strong, clear yellows.

Flowers and plant material may be used fresh or dried for dyeing and eco printing.

🌼 About This Variety

This variety was identified during our 2024 Weld variety trials. While several trial varieties flowered in their first year, none did so as consistently as this one.

As it is the flowering plant that is used for dyeing, this trait offers a significant practical advantage by saving a full growing season. However, dye content testing showed that this variety produces slightly paler colour than our traditional biennial Weld (see Sample No. 5 in the final product image).

This presents an important choice for growers and dyers:

• A usable crop in one year with slightly lighter colour
• Or a brighter crop requiring two full growing seasons

📦 Additional Details

Open-pollinated & organically grown in Ireland
Germination rate: 77%
Approx. 200 seeds per packet
Irish seed licence: IE010713

Please note: Seeds and plants can only be shipped within Europe.

Join The Natural Dyers & Growers Academy to share your experiences and get support from fellow growers.

COREOPSIS SEEDS (Coreopsis tinctoria / Tickseed)
Dye Colour: Bronze Orange to Yellow | Country of Collection: Ireland

Coreopsis produces an abundance of showy bi-coloured yellow and red blooms that illuminate the garden from summer through autumn. Great for eco-printing and natural dyeing, this hardy plant yields beautiful shades of bronze orange to yellow. It thrives in sunny spots and makes a vibrant addition to any garden.

Colour Fastness: Medium to Good

Basic Growing Information
🌱 Sowing Period: Late winter/late spring or late summer/autumn
⏳ Germination Time: 7 – 14 days at 16–21°C (60–70°F)
🌿 Height: 45 – 65cm (18 – 26in)
☀️ Preferred Garden Location: Full sun with well-drained, light soil

Additional Details
Open-pollinated & organically grown in Ireland
Germination rate: 68%
License number: IE010713
100 seeds per packet

NOTE: Seeds and plants can only be shipped within Europe. Harvest flowers for eco-printing or the whole plant for dyeing. Can be used fresh or dried.

Join The Natural Dyers & Growers Academy to share your experiences and get support from fellow growers.

DYER’S CHAMOMILE SEEDS – Cota tinctoria

(Anthemis tinctoria)
Dye Colour: Yellow, Green (with iron) |Produced in: Ireland

Cota tinctoria, commonly known as Dyer’s Chamomile, is a classic natural dye plant producing abundant golden-yellow daisy flowers from June through September. Long valued for both natural dyeing and eco printing, it yields clear, bright yellows and soft green tones when modified with iron.

In addition to its dye qualities, Dyer’s Chamomile is a resilient and attractive garden plant, forming generous drifts of colour in sunny borders and pollinator-friendly gardens.

Colour fastness: Good

🌱 Basic Growing Information

Sowing period
March to April

Germination time
4–7 days at approx. 21 °C (70 °F)

Height
Typically 60–90 cm

Preferred location
Full sun with well-draining soil

✂️ Harvesting for Dye & Printing

Flowers are typically harvested in full bloom throughout the flowering season and can be used fresh or dried for dyeing and eco printing.

📦 Additional Details

Open-pollinated & organically grown in Ireland
Germination rate: 65%
Approx. 100 seeds per packet
Irish seed licence: IE010713

Please note: Seeds and plants can only be shipped within Europe.

Join The Natural Dyers & Growers Academy to share your experiences and get support from fellow growers.

CALENDULA SEEDS – Calendula officinalis

(Pot Marigold)
Dye Colour: Yellow to Orange | Produced in: Ireland

Calendula officinalis, commonly known as Pot Marigold, is a generous and easy-to-grow dye plant producing abundant yellow and orange flowers over a long flowering season. Its bright petals are valued for eco printing and natural dyeing, where they create warm, soft tones and expressive botanical marks.

Although technically a short-lived perennial, Calendula is best grown as an annual for reliable flowering and continuous harvest. Reaching up to 80 cm in height, it fits well into both dedicated dye gardens and mixed planting schemes.

Colour fastness: Poor to Medium

🌱 Basic Growing Information

Sowing period
March to April or August to September

Germination time
14–21 days at 18–20 °C (65–70 °F)

Height
Up to 80 cm (31 in)

Preferred location
Full sun with moist, well-drained soil

✂️ Harvesting for Dye & Printing

Harvest flower heads regularly throughout the season to encourage continued blooming. Petals may be used fresh or dried for dyeing and eco printing.

📦 Additional Details

Open-pollinated & organically grown in Ireland
Germination rate: 61%
Approx. 25 seeds per packet
Irish seed licence: IE010713

Please note: Seeds and plants can only be shipped within Europe.

Join The Natural Dyers & Growers Academy to share your experiences and get support from fellow growers.

HOLLYHOCK SEEDS – Alcea rosea

(Eco & Floral Printing Plant)
Dye Colour: Blue to Purple | Produced in: Ireland

Hollyhocks (Alcea rosea) produce dramatic, deep wine-red to near-black flowers carried on tall, elegant stems that can reach up to 3 m in height. Flowering from summer through autumn, they are both a striking garden plant and a valued resource for eco printing and floral printing, where they can yield expressive blue to purple prints.

These short-lived perennials thrive in sunny positions and reward growers with an extended flowering season. Due to their height, they benefit from thoughtful placement and some shelter from strong winds.

Dye fastness: Poor to Medium

🌱 Basic Growing Information

Sowing period
Spring or late summer

Germination time
2–3 weeks at approx. 20 °C (68 °F)

Height
Up to 3 m (10 ft)

Preferred location
Full sun with well-drained soil

✂️ Harvesting for Dye & Printing

Flowers can be harvested continuously throughout the flowering season. They may be used fresh or dried for eco printing and floral printing applications.

📦 Additional Details

Open-pollinated & organically grown in Ireland
Germination rate: 43%
Approx. 25 seeds per packet
Irish seed licence: IE010713

Please note: Seeds and plants can only be shipped within Europe.

🌿 Join the Natural Dyers & Growers Academy to share experiences, learn natural colour techniques, and connect with fellow growers and makers.

AFRICAN MARIGOLD SEEDS – Tagetes erecta

(Traditional Yellow & Orange Dye Plant)
Dye Colour: Yellow & Orange | Produced in: Ireland

Tagetes erecta, commonly known as African Marigold, is a highly productive dye plant producing abundant double flowers in rich shades of yellow and orange. With their distinctive anemone-like form and geometric structure, these blooms are valued for both natural dyeing and eco printing, where they yield warm, golden tones and expressive botanical prints.

Compact and evenly growing, African Marigolds reach around 25–30 cm in height and are well suited to dedicated dye beds, containers, and mixed planting schemes.

Dye fastness: Medium

🌱 Basic Growing Information

Sowing period
Early February to late May

Germination time
5–14 days

Height
25–30 cm (10–12 in)

Preferred location
Full sun with well-drained soil

✂️ Harvesting for Dye & Printing

Harvest flowers regularly throughout the season to encourage continued flowering. Blooms may be used fresh or dried for dyeing and eco printing.

📦 Additional Details

Open-pollinated & organically grown in Ireland
Germination rate: 68%
Approx. 75 seeds per packet
Irish seed licence: IE010713

Please note: Seeds and plants can only be shipped within Europe.

Join The Natural Dyers & Growers Academy to share your experiences and get support from fellow growers.

ORANGE COSMOS SEEDS

(Cosmos sulphureus)
Dye Colour: Yellow, Orange & Burnt Gold | Produced in Ireland

Cosmos sulphureus, commonly known as Orange Cosmos, produces abundant single flowers in warm shades of yellow, orange, and deep amber. With its open, daisy-like blooms and fine, feathery foliage, this easy-to-grow annual brings both lightness and energy to the dye garden.

Generous in flower and simple to cultivate, Cosmos sulphureus is well suited to natural dyeing and eco-printing, yielding clear sunny yellows, warm oranges, and soft golden tones on fibre depending on dye application. Flowers can be used fresh or dried, making it a flexible and accessible dye plant.

Dye Fastness: Poor to Medium (best on protein fibres, with alum mordant)

🌱 Basic Growing Information

• Sowing period:
  Indoor sowing mid-March to late April
  Direct sow outdoors from mid-May, once frost risk has passed

• Germination time: 7–21 days

• Height: 60–90 cm (24–36 in)

• Preferred location:
  Full sun; light, well-drained soil

🌼 Additional Details

• Open-pollinated & organically grown in Ireland

• Germination rate: 86%

• Irish seed licence: IE010713

• Approx. 75 seeds per packet

Please note: Seeds and plants can only be shipped within Europe.

🌿 Join the Natural Dyers & Growers Academy to share growing experiences, explore dye techniques, and connect with fellow growers.