Hawthorn-Natural Dyeing
Hawthorn is a sacred tree with white or pink flowers and edible berries. Some Hawthorn trees are covered in thorns, while others have a few, so be mindful when gathering leaves. It is thought to be a portal to other worlds and the fey realm. Folklore suggests always asking permission and leaving a token before harvesting flowers, leaves, or berries. The leaves produce a beautiful range of peachy pinks and oranges on cellulose and protein fibers. Hawthorn is one of my favorite magickal trees, and I look forward to working with it every year.
Folklore & Magick: Hawthorn is used for protection and heart magic, and helps create healthy boundaries.
Range: There are Hawthorn species native to North America, Europe, Northwest Africa, and Western Asia. Hawthorn varieties have also been naturalized in many areas.
Growing Habitat: Hawthorns can be found in a variety of settings, including hedgerows, woodlands, and open areas. They are often used as windbreaks or privacy screens and can be planted in groupings to form large, thorny hedges. They generally prefer sunny to partially shaded locations with well-drained soil.
Harvest Time: Summer through fall
DyeStuff: Leaves
Fabric Samples are a mix of white and mixed linen, cotton, wool, and silk
Dyeing Instructions can be found in my book ‘The Natural Dye Handbook’. This is an affiliate link for bookshop.org. This means that if you purchase through my link, I may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you.
More information is available to paid members on my Patreon. If you're interested in subscribing to my Patreon and supporting my exploration of natural dyes. My Patreon is mainly focused on slow stitching, but I’ve begun posting about four natural dye plants each month. I include more details about my process, more color samples, my dye journals, and other tips and tricks.
You can find sashiko thread naturally dyed with Hawthorn leaves in my shop. Look for a color named Heart Magick.
I’m teaching at Art Stays this September. If you are interested in exploring your landscape and foraging for plants that produce natural dyes and learning more about how different mordants affect color, this is the Natural Dye Retreat for you. There are other workshops happening at the same time so please check those out as well.
This is a picture of one of the Hawthorn trees I gather leaves from and visit when I’m out walking.