They are all herbs. Many members of the iris family are herbs - think of Orris, Yellow Flag, Blue Flag. Herbs can be trees. Think of an elder tree, an oak tree, a bay tree, a willow tree, a eucalyptus tree and lord knows how many other trees. Size doesn't matter when it comes to being a herb! Here's my list (still not complete) of dye herbs. I've grown most of them over the years, but never used them for dyeing: Agrimony, Alkanet/DyerÂs Bugloss, Almond, Amaranth, Angelica, Asparagus, Beetroot, Bugle, Burdock, Calendula, Chamomile, Chicory, Cinnamon, Coffee, Coltsfoot, Comfrey, Dandelion, DyerÂs Chamomile/Golden Marguerite, Elder, Elecampane, Eucalyptus, Fennel, Fenugreek, Feverfew, Foxglove, Fumitory, Goldenrod, Hawthorn, Heather, Horseradish, Horsetail, Indigo, Juniper, Kaffir Lime, LadyÂs Bedstraw, LadyÂs Mantle, Madder, Marjoram, Meadowsweet, Mugwort, Nettle, Onion, Pear, Pineapple, Pokeweed, Purple Cabbage, Red Clover, Rose, Rosemary, Safflower/DyerÂs Thistle, Saffron, Sage, Sassafras, St. JohnÂs Wort, Sunflower, Sweet Joe Pye, Sweet Woodruff, Tansy, Turmeric.

Then I first read this I assumed that you are of a "certain age" - that point in time when black hair becomes too stark - even if natural. The model, Dayle Haddon, had black hair and when she reached her late 50s early 60s had it coloured a dark brunette, to take the edge off. My friend recently did the same thing. But they both had it done professionally - and kept it dark. I wouldn't even think of doing it myself. My friend and I both recently started using a different mascara - it is brown - but brown with a black base. Doesn't look as harsh but still is darker than brown which really doesn't suit either of us.

Hi I just bought about 500 bft 5/4 black locust as decking material from a local sawmill in NJ. I planed one board - wonderful wood ! However, the color is as tad to greenish for my taste - I'd like to make it more gold/brow colored but want to preserve the beautiful grain. I also want to protect it from graying over time. I heard that as an oily wood it does not stain well. Any recommendations of what I should use ? Thanks Patrick

I've used an ebony stain on a maple rocking chair and found the task to be really difficult. It took lots of coats to get an even color. The final finish is great, but I doubt I will ever try it again. I love milk paint and have always had success with it. I have an old maple dresser, stripped to bare wood, that I first applied a diluted red milk paint to and then did several coats of black. I rub out each coat between applications. I follow the directions in the link including the oil finish. The dresser turned out better than I ever expected it to. I did a very gentle rub to barely allow the red to show through in normal wear areas. Have you thought of painting the island a different color? You may not get an exact match and a color with a thinned black wash over it might blend the new island with the cabinets without going for an exact match. I've always done construction first. You need to make sure you clean any excess glue as you use it. Stain or milk paint may not absorb if glue is on the surface. I have also used many brands of milk paint and found they all worked well. Just mix what you need and keep it stored in a tightly covered container while you are working on the island. Please email me if I can help in any way. Here is a link that might be useful: never fail milk paint instructions