Natural Dyes

4
Jul

RHS Garden Hyde Hall, CM3 8ET

RHS Garden Hyde Hall, CM3 8ET

Address

Creephedge Lane, Rettendon Common, Chelmsford

Venue

RHS Garden Hyde Hall

Booking


  • Other Prices

    £45

Overview

  • Course running time

    Saturday 4 July 2026, 09.30–12.30

  • Skill level

    General

  • Subject

    Workshop

  • Topic

    Art, Nature, Traditional


An introduction to the ways plants can be used to create coloured dyes to be used for printing on paper and fabric. Explore RHS Hyde Hall and discover the different types of plants that could be used for dyeing before returning to the classroom to try it out*. Go on a magical journey to create and modify your own unique and beautiful colours.

*Any plant material that is carried onto site for use in classes must be in a sealed plastic bag or container for plant health reasons. Some types of plant are strictly prohibited and you will be contacted nearer the time regarding this.

Tutor: Edwina Hughes has done extensive research on the extraction of colour from plants to make natural dyes for eco-printing. Focused on sustainability, she spends much of her time rewilding her home to cultivate dye plants.

Arrival information: 
  • Please note that this is the morning session
  • Please arrive 15 mins before the start of the workshop to allow time to register your arrival and make your way to the classroom
  • This workshop will take place in the Clore Learning Centre, which is located at the top of the hill, adjacent to the Gardeners Rest Restaurant. There is a mobility vehicle for transport up the hill if required.
For this workshop:
  • All materials and tools are supplied. We encourage bringing a notebook and pen to take any notes. Please come dressed appropriately for the weather as some parts may take place outside
  • There will be tea and coffee available throughout. Additionally, all the taps in the learning centre are for drinking water, so we suggest the use of a reusable water bottle throughout the day
  • You are welcome to stay in the gardens afterwards should you wish to stop for lunch and a wander around. 


Additional info

Answers to the most frequently asked questions about courses and workshops at RHS Gardens can be found here.

Get involved

The RHS is the UK’s gardening charity, helping people and plants to grow - nurturing a healthier, happier world, one person and one plant at a time.