We Grow Colour is all about remembering the ancient craft of dyeing with plants, connecting people through foraging and growing plants and flowers whilst learning how to harvest colour and create with natural dyeing techniques.
The project weaves in stories of this land, people and plants alongside learning creative practices together. We are cultivating a natural dye plant garden with pollinators and wildflowers to welcome more bees and boost the biodiversity of the garden. So far we are growing woad, weld, madder, dyers chomomile, yarrow, coreopisis, greenwood, golden rod and calendula. We are starting a nursery bed for plants so we can gift and swap dye plants across the county of Norfolk! Our vision is that more humans know how to identifty, grow and harvest dye plants and get creative with natural dyeing at home, with firneds, with children and in schools. Please get in touch if you want to link up or would like some baby dye plants!
Norfolk has a rich history of natural dyeing and we are excited to honour and share the heritage of this craft and the plants that make the beauty of natural dyeing possible. We’ve heard incredible stories from people about Norfolk ancestors who were involved in natural dyeing as their work – check out this fascinating document about the history of madder in Norwich.
Sessions are run at Marlpit Community Garden, twice a month. You can read about the garden here, and there is a booking link for We Grow Colour below.
The sessions are open to all skill levels, from beginners to more experienced dyers and plant growers wanting to share their skills.
The sessions support people to:
- Preserve and share traditional land-skills, conservation, and natural dyeing techniques through hands-on learning with natural resources
- Enhance biodiversity and protection of natural heritage
- Create a sustainable community of skill sharing and support for each other and the garden
We provide a simple and nutritious lunch at each session.
This project is supported by the Heritage Fund, and created in the hearts of Shona Sundhari (me!) and Amy Woods (my long-time friend and co-creator of magic. (Amy co-runs an awesome social enterprise called Soulshine which you can check out here.)
Here’s what people have been saying about We Grow Colour…
“I arrived exhausted and left ready to start the week. I found so much inspiration, so many ways to make Green! I learned the origins of the word ‘spinster’, how to say ‘Bog wife’ in Danish and about the ‘Elver Girls’. I felt supported in learning excellent new skills.”
“I arrived feeling relieved to be in nature but socially anxious and left relaxed and more energised for the day. The iron water, copper water and vinegar dips to adjust the dye madder was exciting, accessible and fun. I learned a lot on the practical side of dying, also how to play and feel comfortable with not knowing and experimenting. Doing activities with others in community and also being allowed to just explore the garden and chill felt supportive. I enjoyed the soup.”
“I arrived feeling very tired and left feeling inspired to be creative. The copper and rusty nail and indigo were exciting, and I enjoyed the soup and bread. I learned how natural dying is very accessible in the home and garden compared to learning in a studio. I feel inspired creatively, with a sense of purpose and would love to volunteer here in the garden.” Polly
“I feel relaxed, connected with others and grateful.” Lucy, May 2025
“Thank you for providing such a safe and nurturing place to be creative.” Anon, May 2025
“I was excited by trying out a new creative technique. This way of printing was new for me. I had such a beautiful day. I feel uplifted and strengthened. I felt held, nourished by yummy food and I especially valued the connections I made.” Cristal, May 2025