Weld
$3.00
Reseda luteola
Weld has been used as early as the Roman times for dying fabrics shades of yellow. When over-dyed with woad, it produces Lincoln green.
Harvest the leaves and flower stalks while it is flowering, but when the plant is still green. The leaves of non-flowering plants may also be used, but yield a less bright yellow. Color is most concentrated in the leaves, flowers, and seed pods.
Plant weld on 6” centers in full sun in average to poor soils. Height 2-4’ in flower. Leaves of 12 plants or tops of 6 flowering plants dye 4 ounces of wool. Biennial.
2.5″ pot
Photo of weld-dyed yarn by Fran Rushworth of Rich & Strange Silk and Wool Work. Check out her blog on dying with weld here.