Golden Rod

  

 MEDIEVAL USE OF GOLDEN ROD

Solidago Canariensis, and Solidago Virguarea

HISTORY

  • Very common in N. Europe and extensivly used in ancient Scandanavian textiles.
  • ‘Planter og Tradisjon’1974 Prof Ove Arbo Hoeg states it was used historically for yellow yarn
  • ‘Farving medPlanter’  Nielsen 1972 Solidago used in dyeing in rural and domestic textile production.*
  • Imported from Scotland to London for medicine and dye (S.Grierson)

METHOD

  • Gives a strong colour when in first flower
  • Can be picked and dryed at this time
  • Leaves and stems can be used
  • Colour strengthens and ‘greens’ with longer dye time
  • Mustard yellow with Iron – ferrous sulphate.

PLANT DETAILS

  • Upright plant,bright yellow flowers in August
  • Grows profusely in Northern areas of Europe, Scottish Highlands and Scandinavia
  • Heavy clay soil – sets large amounts of seeds.
  • Colour strength and lightfastness (7) good with Alum mordant and acid afterbath.
  • ‘Warmed’ by steeping in bran/chaff/organic matter, at 30
* Sue Grierson ‘The Colour Cauldron’   ‘The wool would be dyed in a large iron pot over an open fire, using putrid urine as a mordant, and washed in a stream’