{"product_id":"safflower-seeds","title":"Safflower Seeds – Carthamus tinctorius","description":"\u003ch2\u003eAncient, Striking, and Endlessly Useful\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSafflower\u003c\/strong\u003e (\u003cem\u003eCarthamus tinctorius\u003c\/em\u003e) is one of the world's oldest cultivated plants, prized for centuries for its vivid orange-yellow thistle-like blooms, its use as a natural dye, and its culinary oil. In the garden, it is a bold and architectural annual that commands attention — spiny, silvery-green foliage topped with brilliant flame-coloured flower heads that dry to a rich, lasting orange. A fascinating and rewarding plant that bridges the gap between ornamental and useful.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eWhy Gardeners Love It\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e🌼 \u003cstrong\u003eVivid orange-yellow thistle-like blooms\u003c\/strong\u003e — bold, architectural, and eye-catching in the border or cutting garden\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e✂️ \u003cstrong\u003eOutstanding dried flower\u003c\/strong\u003e — retains its brilliant colour beautifully when dried, lasting for years in arrangements\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e🌿 \u003cstrong\u003eNatural dye plant\u003c\/strong\u003e — flowers yield a traditional yellow-to-red dye used in textiles and food colouring for centuries\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e🪴 \u003cstrong\u003eLoved by bees and beneficial insects\u003c\/strong\u003e — a rich nectar source in the summer garden\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e☀️ \u003cstrong\u003eDrought tolerant once established\u003c\/strong\u003e — thrives in warm, dry conditions with minimal fuss\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eGrowing Tips for New Zealand\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eSow directly into a sunny, well-drained position in spring once the soil has warmed. Safflower dislikes being transplanted, so direct sowing is strongly recommended. Sow seeds 1–2 cm deep and thin to 30 cm apart. It grows to 60–90 cm tall and thrives in warm, dry summers — ideal for NZ's drier regions including Hawke's Bay, Marlborough, Central Otago, and Canterbury. Harvest flower heads for drying just as they reach full colour, before they begin to fade.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eWhat's in the Packet\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eEach packet contains \u003cstrong\u003e5 seeds\u003c\/strong\u003e of Safflower (\u003cem\u003eCarthamus tinctorius\u003c\/em\u003e).\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Chbotanics Seeds","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45028971708485,"sku":null,"price":2.5,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0734\/2974\/5733\/files\/safflower-carthamus-tinctorius.png?v=1779093472","url":"https:\/\/chbotanics.co.nz\/products\/safflower-seeds","provider":"Chbotanics Seeds","version":"1.0","type":"link"}