Dyer’s Coreopsis 
Coreopsis tinctoria 
Tender annual 
DYE: Brown, rust, orange, tan 
 
GROW: Direct seed 18” apart in full sun after the last frost date. OR start indoors 6-8 weeks before transplanting outside in full sun with medium water. Once established they quickly grow to 2-3’. Succession planting is recommended, as over the growing season the plants become less productive and the flowers become smaller. 
 
HARVEST: Harvest 1-11/2” blooms frequently at their peak, dry out of direct sunlight and store in open paper bags. 
 
EXTRACT DYE: Dyer’s Coreopsis contains several flavonoid pigments which enable the plant to produce a range of warm colors, and has very good light and wash fastness. It’s a workhorse in the dye garden both for masses of flowers and for the potency of the dye, requiring only a 1:4 ratio of dyestuff to fiber for medium color. 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.