In addition to the black eyed susans from the last post, I also have the following:
With all of the warm weather, the Jewelweed is flowering early this year. I've found that I can get different shades and hues of orange from a pale peach, through a true orange, to a burnt orange by adjusting my heating method. I haven't tried different mordants
Next come the Hopi Black Dye Sunflowers, the Sunflowers are over 10 feet tall and still growing. I've never used the sunflowers, but I've been told you can get a dark purple/black from the seeds, but that waits to be seen. I planted some other sunflowers for the birds, but I'm planning on using the seeds from the Hopi sunflowers for dye.
The amaranth is about a foot tall. I know the amaranth gives some lovely pinks, soft to deep true pink. It worked best on superwash last year. I'm planning on trying it on a variety of fibers this year.
The next one is Sulfur Cosmos, just beginning to open. Not only am I planning on dying with the flowers, but I think I'll try to use the leaves as well. The one in the picture is already showing a deep yellow/orange. I can't wait to see a whole plot of them in bloom!
Last but not least come borrage and rhubarb. I'm going to try using leaves for mordanting and roots for dying. I can't wait to see what I get.
I also have plans for bindweed, peppermint, ivy, ferns, milkweed, queen anne's lace, goldenrod and raspberry leaves. I also collected a whole bag of the inner layer of birch bark. Its a dark maroon when I gathered it and its changed to a brown as it dried. I am hoping the color will return when I cook it.
I'll show you pictures as things come out of the pots!
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