Safflower (Carthamus Tinctorius Orange) - For an unusual yet lovely flower, grow Safflower seeds for this annual with orange flower heads. The plant has foliage that is thistle-like and reaches 30 - 36 inches in height. It blooms throughout the summer with orange, tubular flowers. The Carthamus flower is often used for dried arrangements as is considered to be an everlasting. Plant orange Safflowers on banks and slopes, beds and borders, containers, cottages gardens, and many other applications. The color of the blooms is outstanding, and the foliage is mildly prickly.

Traditionally Carthamus Safflower was grown from herb seeds for its flower used in coloring and flavoring food, making dyes for silk or wool, and in medicine. The Carthamus herb makes a good replacement for expensive saffron. In the last 30 - 40 years, however, due to an increasing demand for vegetable oil in the human diet, its production as an oilseed crop has received a great deal of attention as it provides a quality oil that is considered to be a healthier option over other types of vegetable oil.

How To Grow Safflower Seed: When sowing Carthamus Tinctorius flower seeds outdoors, it should be planted at a depth of 1/4 inch in light soil in the early spring, before the last frost of the season. When growing Safflower seeds indoors, the seed should be sown in peat pots about 8 weeks before they are ready to be transplanted outdoors after danger of frost has passed. The seedlings should be planted out with a spacing of 6 - 10 inches in a sunny part of the garden. Protection from rabbits may be needed.

Safflower (Carthamus Tinctorius White) - Start Safflower seeds for this unique annual that is well-suited to sunny, hot conditions. Carthamus Safflower is a native of the Mediterranean, and it can be grown for beds and borders, containers, and cottages gardens. Easily grown from Carthamus Tinctorius seeds, this thistle-like plant produces lovely white, tubular flower heads during the summer months. The white Safflower plant has foliage that is thistle-like, but the prickliness is mild. Safflowers make excellent cut flowers for drying. The blooms, when dried for arrangements, are everlasting. These blooms also provide a source of white dyes for coloring silk and wool. The Carthamus Tinctorius herb can be used as a saffron substitute in rice dishes. Commercially, it is important as a source of good quality cooking oil.

How To Plant Safflower Seeds: When sowing white Safflower seeds outdoors, it should be planted at a depth of 1/4 inch in light soil in the early spring, before the last frost of the season. When growing the seed indoors, the seed should be sown in peat pots about 8 weeks before they are ready to be transplanted outdoors after danger of frost has passed. The seedlings should be planted out with a spacing of 6 - 10 inches in a sunny part of the garden. Protection from rabbits may be needed.