Dyer's Coreopsis is a North American native wildflower that does double duty as both a vibrant ornamental and a source of richly pigmented dyes for textile artists. Hardy from zones 2 to 11, this easy-to-grow annual reaches 30 inches tall and produces cadmium red blossoms, often ringed with yellow, that flower within 65 days of planting. The Hudson Valley Seed strain carries a notably higher proportion of solid red blooms than most commercial offerings, making it especially valuable for dyers seeking consistent color extraction. It thrives in full sun and tolerant soil conditions, rewarding gardeners and fiber artists alike with abundant, long-lasting flowers.
Full Sun
Low
2-11
30in H x 18in W
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Moderate
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Dyer's Coreopsis carries centuries of textile tradition in its petals. Native to North American plains and meadows, this variety has been harvested by dyers for its exceptionally rich pigmentation, yielding golden-orange and deep red dyes that transform into solar dyes when steeped in water and sunlight. Beyond the dye pot, the flowers are stunning in gardens, producing masses of cadmium red blooms sometimes ringed with yellow. This particular strain offers a higher proportion of solid red flowers than typical seed lots, making it especially rewarding for those seeking consistent color for both ornamental display and dye experiments.
Dyer's Coreopsis serves dual purposes in the garden and studio. The flowers are harvested for natural dye extraction, particularly solar dyeing, where petals steep in water to yield rich golden-orange and red hues for fiber arts. The blooms are equally striking in fresh cut flower arrangements and as long-flowering ornamentals in borders, meadow gardens, and cottage plantings. Many gardeners grow this variety specifically to experiment with home solar dye processes, turning a single plant into both a garden feature and a fiber artist's raw material.
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Start seeds indoors 4 to 6 weeks before your last spring frost. Sow seeds on the soil surface or barely press them into seed starting mix at a temperature of 65 to 75°F. Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Seedlings will emerge within 7 to 10 days. Harden off transplants gradually over 7 to 10 days before moving them outdoors.
Transplant hardened-off seedlings outdoors after the last frost date, spacing them 12 inches apart with 18 inches between rows. Choose a location in full sun. Dig holes slightly larger than the root ball, backfill with garden soil, and water gently to settle the soil. The plant will reach flowering maturity approximately 65 days after transplanting.
Direct sow seeds outdoors after the last spring frost date. Press seeds lightly into prepared soil surface where they will be exposed to light, which aids germination. Water gently to keep the seed bed moist until seedlings emerge. Thin seedlings to 12 inches apart once they have developed true leaves.
Harvest Dyer's Coreopsis flowers when they are fully open and the petals have developed their deep cadmium red color, typically 65 days after planting. For solar dye purposes, harvest blooms in the morning after dew has dried but before the heat of midday. Pinch or cut flowers at the base of the stem. The more you harvest, the more prolifically the plant will bloom throughout the season. Flowers can be used fresh for immediate dye extraction or dried for later use.
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“Dyer's Coreopsis originates from the plains and meadows of North America, where it grew wild for generations before textile artists recognized and cultivated it for its richly pigmented petals. For centuries, fiber workers have harvested these flowers to create golden-orange and deep red dyes, embedding this plant deep within the traditions of natural dyeing. The variety survived and spread through both intentional cultivation by dyers and seed saving among communities practicing traditional textile arts. Hudson Valley Seed's strain represents a deliberate selection for higher solid red bloom proportions, preserving and refining the plant's legendary dye potential while maintaining its ornamental garden appeal.”