Genista tinctoria 

'Dyer's Greenweed'

[Ex. Co. Durham, England]

Fabaceae/Leguminosae: a spineless, deciduous grassland shrub to 1m. found on calcareous soils. The flowers are 15mm long, bright yellow, broom-like, in leafy, stalked spikes, blooming from April-July. The oblong, flat, hairless pods, the leaves are narrow. Locally common in England, Wales and Southern Scotland. Native to Europe, including Britain, from Norway to the Mediterranean, east to the Urals, Caucasus and Western Asia.

USES:

The twigs, leaves and flowering stems have cathartic, diaphoretic, diuretic, emetic, stimulant and vasoconstrictor properties. A homeopathic remedy is made from the fresh shoots, which is used in the treatment of rheumatism.

A very good quality yellow dye is obtained from the whole plant, but especially from the flowers and young shoots.

GROWING INFORMATION:

The seed requires a period of cold stratification and is best sown autumn in a cold frame. Pre-soak stored seed for 24 hours in warm water and sow February in a cold frame. Good germination. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer. Likes a well-drained soil in a sunny position. It likes heavy soils that are calcareous to slightly acidic.

HARVESTED: 2022
 
APPROX. 100+ SEEDS