Plant Spotlight Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus spp.) The Eucalyptus is a sacred tree native to Australia, with over 700 species that are now planted all over the world. In Portugal, it is an extremely controversial plant associated with vast monocultures planted by the paper industry that intensify Portugal's problematic wildfires and have replaced a lot of its native fire resilient forests. For natural dyer's it is a generous and exciting source of color. I would even say that it was the original...

Plant Spotlight Wild Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) Native to the Mediterranean, fennel is edible by humans and insects alike. In Portugal, its feathery fronds appear widely in disturbed soil. As the season progresses, snails often consume it entirely. Fennel is mostly known for its aromatic properties in culinary uses, but it is also highly medicinal. As a medicinal plant, it's mostly used to aid digestion. As a dye plant, I only use it for its detailed lace-like prints. Wild Daisies (Glebionis...

Plant Spotlight Coreopsis (Coreopsis tinctoria) Native to North America but widely grown in gardens, there are dozens of varieties of Coreopsis. The one I grow in the garden is Coreopsis tinctoria, a historial dye plant to indigenous North Americans. The full plant has dye and printing potential producing warm yellows, bright oranges, rusty reds, and even dark greens or browns depending on mordant and concentration. It’s a pollinator favorite, feeding bees and butterflies throughout summer....