Dyer’s Saffron

Carthamus tinctorius. A highly branched, herbaceous annual with brilliant red, yellow, and orange flowers on spiny, thistle-like plants. They are one of the best flowers for drying. Traditionally, grown for its seed, used for colouring and flavouring foods, in medicines, and making red (carthamin) and yellow dyes or a cheap substitute for Saffron.

Grow in poor and dry soils in full sun. It will reach a height of 90cm.