A powerful and prolific dye plant, Dyer’s Coreopsis is beloved for its intense golden-orange hues and extended bloom time.
This hardy annual is easy to grow and highly productive, making it a top choice for natural dyers seeking reliable color. With its cheerful daisy-like flowers and tolerance for poor soil, Dyer’s Coreopsis offers vibrant dye potential with minimal effort.
Basic Info:
- Common Names: Dyer’s Coreopsis, Plains Coreopsis, Golden Tickseed
- Color (for dyeing): Bright yellow, gold, and orange; can shift to rust or green with modifiers
- Flower Type: Daisy-like composite
- Scientific Name: Coreopsis tinctoria
Cultivation Info:
- Days to Maturity: 60–75 days
- USDA Hardiness Zone: Annual in Zones 2–11
- Planting Depth: Surface sow or cover very lightly (needs light to germinate)
- Plant Spacing: 6–12 inches apart
- Growth Habit: Upright and branching; 1–3 feet tall
- Soil Preference: Well-drained, average to poor soil
- Light Preference: Full sun
Additional Information:
- Taxonomy: Family Asteraceae
- Seed Type: Open-pollinated, wildflower-type
- Sow Instructions: Direct sow after danger of frost; germinates in 5–10 days at 70–75°F. Tolerates light frost once established.
- Diseases: Rare; occasionally affected by leaf spot in overly wet conditions
- Pests: Aphids (minor); deer-resistant
Natural Dyeing Use:
Dyer’s Coreopsis is a powerhouse in the dye garden. Fresh or dried petals produce vivid yellows and oranges, and with iron or copper modifiers, you can shift tones to rust, olive green, or brown. Best suited to protein fibers like wool and silk, but also works on cotton with mordanting. Petals can be solar-dyed, simmered, or used in bundle dyeing.
Troubleshooting Tips:
- Few Blooms? Avoid rich soil and excess watering. This plant thrives in lean conditions.
- Tall or floppy? Provide support or plant in clusters to help hold each other up.
- Self-seeding too much? Deadhead before seed set if reseeding isn’t desired.