Woad

Woad is an important source of blue dye. It has been cultivated throughout Europe for hundreds of years, and there were important woad-growing regions in the UK during the medieval period. Native to the steppes and deserts of Central Asia, it is also found throughout south-east and central Europe.

Woad is a biennial or perennial plant that self seeds freely with an upright habit, reaching 1m tall. It has narrow bluish-green leaves, which look as though they've been dusted with white fluff, and small yellow flowers, which are followed by unusual black seed pods.

Woad prefers a hot and sunny situation (this encourages the production of the dye in the young leaves), and is happy in most soils (its natural habitat is cliffs and cornfields, and chalky soils). Give it plenty of nitrogen-rich fertiliser to encourage production of leaves.

Harvest leaves for making dye between July and September. If allowed to flower it will self-seed. Harvest all the young leaves at once for dye-making, and allow plant to regrow. Woad produces more indigo when the weather is hot and sunny.

Also a medicinal herb traditionally used to treat viral and bacterial infections, reduce fevers, and soothe sore throats.