Poppy 'Shirley Double Mix'

In 1880 the Rev William Wilks of Surrey discovered a single white edged, scarlet poppy growing wild near his home. He subsequently spent 20 years breeding soft coloured strains from the seeds of this one plant. He named them Shirley poppies after the parish in which he worked. This wonderful mix produces unbelievably beautiful,large, double, tissue paper flowers in many soft, dusky shades of pink, rose salmon crimson and white. Will do well in beds or borders but are at their best when sown in large drifts for a natural, wild look. They readily self seed and make excellent cut flowers if they're picked in bud and the cut stem is seared with a match. (2ft)

Sowing Instructions

Sow thinly in mid spring where they are to flower and thin out as required. They do not transplant well.