Coreopsis

The Plant
Commonly called Tickseed or Dyer's Coreopsis, coreopsis tinctoria is an annual plant native to North America. It grows 2-3 feet tall and prefers full sun. The flowers are bright yellow to orange-red. It is beneficial to deadhead flowers, as the plant produces more flowers when old flowers are removed. Coreopsis can survive in poor soil with little water and attracts bees and other pollinators.

How to Harvest
Pick flowers using garden shears or scissors. If you plan to dry the flowers for later use, you may wish to write the fresh weight on the bag in which you will store them. Save only the flower heads or petals.

How to Extract Color
Crush the required amount of flowers, fresh or dry, and soak them in water overnight. The next day, bring water to a boil and simmer for one hour. Then strain the dye solution into another pot. Add prepared fiber and simmer for another hour.

Fiber that has been mordanted with alum will give a range of colors, from gold and mustard yellow to oranges and olives.