Gaillardia (Blanket flower, or Indian blanket)
Gaillardia pulchella
Hearty and drought tolerant perennial
DYE: Sage green
 
GROW: Start indoors 8-10 weeks before transplanting outside. Plant 12-18” apart in full sun, moderate to low water. Plants reach 20-30” tall. Cut back to a few inches tall in early spring to allow for new growth.
 
HARVEST: Harvest blooms at their peak. Dry out of direct sunlight and store in open paper bags.
 
EXTRACT DYE: Gaillardia contains both flavonoids and anthocyanins, making for a range of cool colors in ecoprinting and a beautiful sage green in the dye bath. The blues and purples are fugitive, while the sage green has good wash and light fastness. The dense dried flowers should be soaked overnight before using to help release dye, reserve the water for the dye bath. Medium color is achieved with a 1:1 ratio of dyestuff to fiber. Place the dyestuff in the dye pot and slowly bring to just below a simmer, hold for 30 minutes then let cool. Strain out the dyestuff, squeezing as much color out of the plants as you can, then compost the plant material.