FlowerPoppy
Double Mixed Shirley Poppy
Double Mixed Shirley Poppy is a classic annual flower that transforms summer gardens with delicate, papery blooms in striking bicolored carmine shades. These frost-tolerant plants grow 20 to 30 inches tall and flower in 84 to 91 days, making them quick enough to sow directly into the garden in spring. Hardy from zones 3 to 9, they thrive in full sun and can be broadcasted like wildflowers or grown in containers to brighten patios and indoor spaces.
Photo © True Leaf Market
Growing Conditions
USDA Zone
3-9
Sunlight
Full Sun
Soil
Well-drained, Sandy To Loamy Soil; Tolerates Poor Soils
Growth Stats
30 in
Height
TypeBush
Spacing
8
Plant Profile
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
—
Zones
3-9
Size
30in H x ?in W
Growth
—
Care
Moderate
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Highlights
Each plant produces abundant 2-inch double blooms in jewel-toned carmine combinations that seem almost too delicate to be real. The fact that you can simply scatter seeds directly in the garden and watch them flourish like native wildflowers makes them refreshingly low-fuss. These poppies tolerate frost remarkably well, so early spring sowings often outpace tender annuals, and their height (20 to 30 inches) gives them presence in borders without overwhelming nearby plantings.
Common Uses
Double Mixed Shirley Poppies are grown primarily for their ornamental flowers. They work beautifully as cut flowers for summer arrangements, in garden beds for bold color, and in containers where their papery blooms can be admired up close. Their willingness to self-seed makes them popular for cottage garden designs and meadow-style plantings.
Growing Timeline
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Care Instructions
Direct Sow
Broadcast Double Mixed Shirley Poppy seeds directly into the garden in early spring, as soon as soil can be worked. Scatter seeds where you want them to grow and rake lightly to ensure contact with soil. They'll germinate quickly in cool soil and establish strong root systems before summer heat arrives. You can also sow in fall in zones where winters are mild, for earlier spring blooms.
Pruning
Remove spent flowers regularly to encourage continued blooming throughout the season. This deadheading technique extends flowering and prevents the plant from directing energy into seed production prematurely. If you prefer natural reseeding for next year, allow the final flush of flowers to fade and drop their seeds.
Growing Calendar
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Companion Planting
Pests & Diseases
Ecology & Traits
Scientific Classification
Papaver rhoeas
Family
Papaveraceae
Genus
Papaver
Growth Habit
Bush
Native Status
L48 (I)AK (I)CAN (I)