A wonderful plant for the flowerbed, Safflower, is a thistle that is grown commercially for the production of oil and birdseed. It also makes a wonder cutflower plant. The orange flowers of safflower sometimes serve as a substitute for saffron, since they give a color to food. The cut flower is excellent for preserving and drying. Once dried the Carthamus flower is considered to be an everlasting. The Safflower herb provides a source of red or yellow dyes for coloring silk and wool. The Carthamus herb can be used as a saffron substitute in rice dishes. Commercially, it is important as a source of good quality cooking oil.

Dried flowers are used as a substitute for saffron. An annual plant that can handle a lot of heat in the garden, it grows about 32 inches tall and will bloom in 10 weeks from seed.
Dried safflower flowers are used in a lot of recipes where they help to improve the color of broths, soups and stews, without being expected to contribute any flavor. However, many cooks are unaware between the difference between safflower and saffron, and consider the former a cheaper grade of the latter, with saffron being very expensive in some regions.
Nutritious and popular, safflower seeds are a great option for many backyard birds while their unusual shape and bitter taste can discourage less welcome birds and squirrels. This makes them a beneficial addition to many bird feeding stations, and the birds are always grateful for a new and tasty treat.