St John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum)

This highly-regarded medicinal plant produces luxuriant dyes in golden yellows, maroon, browns and greens. These colours are derived from the fresh flowers using different methods. Minus the flowers, the plant tops will provide beige-brown colours. St John’s wort is easy to grow and is on some regional councils’ watch list (but don’t confuse it with the nationally banned Hypericum androsaemum). It is a hardy perennial that grows in full sun or part-shade.