A clump-forming perennial, to 85cm in height, with slender strap-like grey-green leaves and striking sky blue flowers with white markings borne in early summer.

Dye colour: Blue/Black

Dye source: Flowers

Flowering: May - June

Other common names: Siberian iris 'Perry's Blue', Iris sibirica 'Perry's Blue'.

How to extract the dyes: 

• Soak the dried flower heads in a pot filled with 4 litres of warm water for 30 minutes. 

• Heat the dye bath to +70 °C, well below the boiling point.  

• Adding one tablespoon of washing soda or 0.5-1 dl of wood ash lye can improve the colour extraction and modify the colour from brown to orange. 

• Steep the flowers for 30 minutes to extract dye.  

For more information about the dyeing process:

Natural dyes for education and colour experimentation

A vigorous, semi-evergreen, rhizomatous perennial to 1.2m in height, with narrow, grey-green leaves. Flowers in late spring and early summer, 2-6, 10cm in width, fragrant, light violet-purple with yellowish beard.

Dye colour: Blue

Dye source: Flowers

Flowering: May - June

Other common names: Orris, Iris pallida var. dalmatica.

How to extract the dyes: 

• Soak the dried flower heads in a pot filled with 4 litres of warm water for 30 minutes. 

• Heat the dye bath to +70 °C, well below the boiling point.  

• Adding one tablespoon of washing soda or 0.5-1 dl of wood ash lye can improve the colour extraction and modify the colour from brown to orange. 

• Steep the flowers for 30 minutes to extract dye.  

For more information about the dyeing process:

Natural dyes for education and colour experimentation