The poppy is an easy plant to grow and maintain. The Poppy Shirley mixed is an old-fashioned, bright red, single poppy with a dark, almost black center on gray-green, fragile stems and thin, gray-green leaves. It is an annual native to Turkey (Anatolia). This is the well-known Papaver rhoeas. The Poppy Shirley mixed is a member of the poppy family (Papaveraceae), along with: Greater Celandine, California Poppy, Yellow Horned Poppy, False Poppy, Downy Poppy, Plume Poppy, Rough Poppy, Pale Poppy, Giant Poppy, Greater Poppy, Opium Poppy, Foxglove, Hollowwort, Yellow Corydalis, and Common Fumitory. Most species in this family are herbs, but shrubs and trees also belong to this family. The family grows wild in temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere.
The beautiful Poppy Shirley mixed prefers a spot in full sun to partial shade. Sow in a well-drained soil and allow the area to dry out slightly before watering again. Poppy Shirley mixed flowers for a very long time if the spent flowers are removed regularly. It's a beautiful plant for the garden, border, and among wildflowers, for example, in a lawn. But this plant can also be grown in a balcony box, large pot, or other type of container. It also makes a lovely cut flower. This flower is a striking eye-catcher in any garden or border. It also fits well in a natural garden because it self-seeds very easily. It also creates a beautiful contrast with cornflowers. Try using Poppy Shirley mixed in a field bouquet alongside cornflowers. This plant is also very popular with bees, butterflies, hoverflies, and other beneficial insects. It is also easy to grow and maintain. This plant self-seeds readily. The petals are edible and have a slightly sweet flavor. A lovely way to liven up a dull salad. Use them as a decorative element in salads and soups. The brightly colored flowers can also be used as a garnish. In England, the Poppy Shirley mixed is the symbol of World War I. This "Remembrance Poppy" is therefore worn to commemorate the fallen soldiers of World War I. The Poppy Shirley mixed flowers from May till August. Hardy annual. Height: 70 cm.
Indoor sowing: March - April
Outdoor sowing: May - June
Germination: 10 - 20 days
Germination temp.: 19 - 21 °C
Sowing depth: ½ - 1 cm
Distance between the rows: 35 cm
Planting distance: 35 cm
Plant position: sunny
Flowering period: May - August
Sow indoors from March or outdoors under glass. Sow in trays filled with moistened seed compost. Sow thinly and cover the seeds with a thin layer of seed compost. Keep warm and do not allow the temperature to drop at night. Cover the trays with plastic wrap or a propagator lid. Keep moist and warm.
Remove the plastic wrap or lid as soon as the seedlings emerge. Transplant the young seedlings into individual pots when they are 5-7.5 cm tall. In May, once there is no longer any risk of night frost, allow them a few days (10) to acclimate to the outdoor temperature. After this, they can be transplanted to their permanent location. Allow 35 cm of space between each plant.
From the end of May, once there is no longer any risk of night frost, sow in a seedbed. Sow in rows and cover the seeds with a thin layer of seed compost. Transplant the seedlings to their permanent location as soon as they are large enough to handle. Provide a sunny location with good drainage and, if necessary, some shelter from the wind. Furthermore, this plant has few soil requirements. Water during periods of drought. The poppy can self-seed. Protect the plant with mulch in winter. Remove spent flowers regularly to enjoy your poppy for longer. This beautiful flower self-seeds readily, making it suitable for naturalized gardens.
