Ornamental Poppy
Swansdown Poppy is a graceful heirloom flower that brings delicate, feathered blooms to spring and early summer gardens. Growing 24 to 36 inches tall with finely cut foliage that lives up to its laciniatum name, this variety takes about 98 days from seed to bloom and thrives in full sun with moderate water. Deer leave it alone, and its flowers attract pollinators throughout the growing season, making it both beautiful and ecologically generous.
8-12 inches apart
Full Sun
Moderate
3-8
36in H x 10in W
Annual
High
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This heirloom poppy produces exquisitely fringed petals that seem to float above lacy, dissected foliage, a distinctly elegant presence in any garden. It blooms prolifically from spring into summer, drawing bees and other beneficial insects while remaining untouched by deer. The combination of fine-textured leaves and generous flowering habit makes Swansdown Poppy a standout for gardeners seeking both visual refinement and ecological benefit.
Swansdown Poppy is grown primarily for its ornamental flowers, which bloom throughout the spring and summer months. The delicate, fringed blooms are valued in cutting gardens and as focal points in cottage-style plantings where their ethereal quality can be fully appreciated.
Sow seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before your last spring frost. Sow on the soil surface and cover very lightly with vermiculite or use a humidity dome to maintain moisture. Keep temperatures at 65 to 70°F until germination occurs (5 to 20 days), then drop the temperature to 50 to 60°F. Be extraordinarily gentle when transplanting, as poppies are notoriously sensitive to root disturbance.
Harden off seedlings gradually before moving them outdoors. Transplant after your last spring frost date, handling the root ball with utmost care. Space plants 8 inches apart.
Direct sowing is the recommended method. Sow seeds outdoors 4 weeks before your last spring frost. In zones 8 and warmer, you can also sow in late autumn. Mix seed with fine sand to scatter thinly and evenly across prepared soil.
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