GROW A dye garden

Unleash your creativity with plants that produce unique fabric dyes

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Natural practice

Using plants to dye fabric is a centuries-old practice. Now it’s back in fashion, as an exciting, sustainable way to colour textiles, wool and thread. The bonus of keeping a few dye plants in your back yard is that it gives you the freedom to experiment, whenever the time and fancy allows. Although making plant dye is straightforward (look online for tutorials), there are many variables involved, ensuring endlessly fascinating results.

Colour chart

These reliable dye plants can be added to any decorative border. Remember, flowers can be picked and dried for later use.

* Anthemis tinctoria ‘Dyer’s chamomile’ – a bushy perennial with yellow, daisy-like flowers that produce a warm yellow dye.