PLEASE NOTE! Orders for potted plants will be shipped starting March 14, 2022.
Madder (Rubia tinctorum) potted plant, organic
$7.50 – $19.95
Family: Madder (Rubiaceae)
Hardy to Zones 6 to 10.
Climbing evergreen perennial native to the Mediterranean and southern Europe. The plant is a classic element of the Medieval garden, completely unique, wending its way along the ground or draping on fence or trellis. The yellow, star-like flowers are produced in the second year after which the roots may be dug. Madder root contains the anthraquinone pigment alizarin, which is responsible for its popularity as a fine red dye plant. (The English “red coats” owed their visibility to this plant!) Traditional usage: TWM, treatment of urinary stone. Plant prefers regular garden soil and full sun.
Potted plant, Certified Organically Grown
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Question
Ash –
My friend brought to my attention that Madder is an invasive plant, I am worried to plant this on my property. I guess this is more a comment but feel this should be noted on the packet.
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Richo Cech –
Hello Ash,
OK, I understand your feelings about this, and I think your original motivation to grow the plant was the right one. Any good gardener can keep madder in check and every dyer I know wishes they had more of it. Richo
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Question
Marianna Jankowska –
Needed seeds Rube Tinc Simplex tu buy
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Richo Cech –
Hello Marianna, Not sure about this–looks like abbreviated pharmaceutical latin–do you want madder seeds? richo
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judith mcdonald –
How much water? humidity? Pretty dry here Yakima in summer north of you 1200′ Would it need to be on irrigation or just get a few soakings? Trying to naturalize plants as much as possible. Great drainage yet the water table is high if the roots can get there
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Richo Cech –
Hello Judith,
Interesting that you should mention this now as we are revamping our madder bed this morning, adding nutrients along with lots of sand and pumice because it really likes a dry site. Once it gets established you should be able to get by with a couple of waterings in a summer, or depend on rainfall if that is available. Richo
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Question
alyssa –
How big is this potted plant? Is it a first year seedling or in its second year w/ established root system?
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Richo Cech –
Hi Alyssa,
These are outdoor acclimatized second year plants in our standard 3 inch pot filled with roots.
richo
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Mary VB Goshorn –
Do the roots spread naturally? If so, how fast?
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Richo Cech –
Hi Mary, Yes, the plant is rhizomatous and spreads fairly fast in loose soil. If you want to keep it controlled, you can plant it in a pot. Richo
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Jean Hess –
How well will it do in Knoxville TN?
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Richo Cech –
Hi Jean,
I really do think madder would grow well there. I’ve seen this planted North, South, East and West with good results.
Richo
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marygoshorn (verified owner) –
Just received my madder plants! My raised bed is ready for them, but the instructions say to pot it in a larger pot and wait for it to grow to twice its size before planting in the garden. I was planning on planting them immediately (after giving them a day or two of sunshine) in the raised bed, so they have time to settle in before winter and are ready to go in the spring. Is this not recommended to do?
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Richo Cech –
hi mary, you can plant the madder right in the bed, it is robust, it will do fine. r
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nicki –
what are my chances of growing madder in southern Maine ?
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Richo Cech –
hi nicki, Thanks for getting in touch. Madder is easy to germinate and grow and southern maine is within the zone designated for madder, so you should be fine. richo
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