Flower Library
Dyers Chamomile
Cota tinctoria · Korbblütler (Asteraceae)
Dyers chamomile brings a piece of summer meadow into the bouquet: vivid golden-yellow daisy flowers above finely cut, aromatically scented foliage. Its wonderfully natural, unpretentious look makes it a quiet favourite for loose, meadow-style arrangements. Because we buy it fresh at the Veiling Rhein-Maas rather than through long wholesale chains, it reaches the vase with firm stems and full standing power.
- Season
- June – July – August – September
- Vase life
- 7–12 days
- Latin name
- Cota tinctoria
- Colors
- Golden yellow, Lemon yellow, Cream white, Pale yellow
Botanically, dyers chamomile is now called Cota tinctoria, though in the trade it is still mostly encountered under its old name Anthemis tinctoria. It belongs to the daisy family and differs from common chamomile through its rich yellow rather than white flowers and its noticeably stronger, bushier growth. The flower heads sit singly on long, slightly hairy stems, which makes it especially rewarding for cut-flower work.
Particularly popular are selected cultivars: Kelwayi with its pure, glowing golden yellow, the lemon-bright E. C. Buxton, and creamy-soft selections that blend harmoniously into pastel summer bouquets. This range of varieties means a single flower can set very different moods, from a bold cottage-garden look to a softer, muted palette.
In floristry we value dyers chamomile as a classic filler and scatter flower. It loosens up compact rose or dahlia bouquets, lends them a lively, natural character and instantly brings sunshine with its warm yellow. In modern, loose binding styles it can also feature on its own in larger quantities, carrying an entire summery meadow bouquet single-handedly.
A good quality marker is the stage of bloom: ideal are stems on which the first flowers have opened while others are still in bud, so the bouquet keeps blooming for days. When buying we consistently look for firm stems and fresh foliage, because with delicate meadow flowers in particular, vase life depends entirely on freshness on the day of purchase. In terms of colour, dyers chamomile combines effortlessly with cornflowers, yarrow, grasses, thistles and anything that evokes a summer meadow.
Care
- 01Cut stems at an angle and strip lower leaves that would sit in the water, otherwise the vase water clouds quickly.
- 02Use a clean vase with lukewarm water and flower food; this noticeably extends the life of this meadow flower.
- 03Change the vase water every two days and trim a small piece off the stem ends each time.
- 04Keep cool and out of direct sun, away from fruit bowls and radiators, as warmth speeds up opening.
- 05Pluck out spent individual flowers regularly so the buds keep opening and the bouquet stays fresh.
Frequently asked
- How long does dyers chamomile last in the vase?
- With a fresh cut and regular water changes, dyers chamomile usually lasts seven to twelve days. The key is freshness at purchase: stems with some buds still closed keep opening for days and therefore last considerably longer.
- Is dyers chamomile toxic to cats, dogs or children?
- Dyers chamomile is regarded as non-toxic and does not appear on the common poisonous-plant lists. It is therefore safer than the toxic stinking chamomile (Anthemis cotula) or Roman chamomile. As with all cut flowers, though, pets should not eat plant material in larger quantities, as mild gastrointestinal irritation is otherwise possible.
- When is dyers chamomile in season?
- The main season is summer, roughly from June to September, with the flowering peak in July and August. During this time it is available as a cut flower in fresh, top quality.
- What was dyers chamomile used for in the past?
- Its botanical epithet tinctoria means the dyeing one. From the boiled flowers people once obtained a warm yellow tone for dyeing wool and fabrics. Today its beautiful, natural bloom takes centre stage in floristry.