Falling in Love Shirley Poppy is a spring-blooming annual that brings the wild charm of field poppies to any garden. Standing 18 to 24 inches tall with delicate, crinkled petals in jewel tones, this cultivar of Papaver rhoeas flowers reliably from March through August, reaching peak bloom in roughly 98 days from seed. It thrives in full sun with moderate water and attracts pollinators while resisting deer pressure, making it both ornamental and ecologically generous.
8
Full Sun
Moderate
2-11
24in H x 8in W
—
Moderate
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This poppy opens from papery buds into flowers that seem lit from within, their petals catching light like silk. Deer leave it untouched while bees and butterflies flock to it, so you get color and pollinator activity in one slender, elegant plant. The narrow 8-inch width means you can tuck it into tight spaces where showier varieties won't fit, yet it delivers weeks of continuous bloom across spring and summer.
Falling in Love Shirley Poppy is grown as a cut flower and ornamental garden accent. Its delicate blooms brighten spring bouquets and cottage garden borders, thriving in arrangements that showcase its papery petals and airy form.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Sow seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before your last spring frost. Sow on the surface of moist seed-starting mix and cover very lightly with vermiculite or use a humidity dome to maintain moisture. Keep temperatures at 65 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit until germination (expect sprouts in 5 to 14 days), then lower temperatures to 50 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Handle seedlings with extreme care during transplanting, as poppies are sensitive to root disturbance and may not survive rough handling.
Harden off seedlings gradually over 7 to 10 days before moving them outdoors. Transplant 4 weeks before your last spring frost once seedlings have developed true leaves and the soil is workable. Space plants 8 inches apart. Handle root balls gently to avoid damage.
Direct sow outdoors 4 weeks before your last spring frost in spring, or in late autumn if you live in zones 8 and warmer. Direct sowing is the recommended method for this variety. Mix seeds with fine sand and scatter thinly over prepared soil to avoid overcrowding.
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