Dyer's Coreopsis

Coreopsis tinctoria

Origin: North America

Improvement status: Breeding population

Seeds per packet: ~60

Germination tested 12/2022: 90%

Life cycle: Annual

This beautiful wildflower native to central and eastern North America has a long history of use as both for both dye and medicine (and apparently the dried plant can make some sort of coffee substitute as well). A tea made from the root can be used to induce vomiting, and is also used to treat diarrhoea. The name comes from its ability to produce a rust or mahogany-colored dye.

Our seed comes from Wild Garden Seeds in Oregon who explain that this population includes both "the species type bicolor-petal (red/yellow) flowers, and stunning crimson and yellow-speckled variations that are garden show-stoppers and pigment rich."

We're excited to add this native dye plant to our catalogue this year.