Spineless safflower
$4.00
(Carthamus tinctorius)
Annual. An oilseed related to sunflower which has also been used for birdseed; as the Latin name suggests, it also has a long history as a dye-plant, used for reds and oranges. Safflower is very beautiful, and also easy to grow; whether you want to use the seeds or not, it would make a memorable ornamental. Apparently this variety is not as thorny as some, but I would still recommend leather gloves for harvesting!
90 days to maturity.
60 seeds/packet.
Out of stock
Plant when soil temp. is 40°F (late April-early May) Sow 1” deep, 3” apart in rows 8” apart. Harvest flowers for dye when they begin to open, or seed when most leaves are brown and seeds can easily be rubbed loose from heads. Because of the closed heads, the seed can mold if it is rained on when near maturity; harvest a bit early and dry indoors if rain threatens. Seedlings are somewhat frost tolerant, but flowers will be damaged by frost.