Shirley Poppy 'Supreme'
Shirley Poppy 'Supreme'
Papaver rhoeas
Linen white, crimson red, scarlet ibis orange and fuchsia purple (an almost hot pink) in semi double and single blooms are all included in ‘Supreme’ poppy. The unusual colour combination with their tissue paper, crinkly appearance was described by Erin Benzakein at Floret as reminiscent of an old fashion silk kimono - we completely agree! ‘Supreme’ is a stunning addition to gardens and design work.
Easy to grow, vigorous plants that produce an abundance of blooms over a 6-week period in late spring/early summer with small structural seed pods that work well with dried arrangements. The delicate and unusual combination of the almost not real petals and the colours make these wonderful for design work. The flowers rise high above the blue green serrated foliage - Although short lasting, buds on cut stems will continue to open.
Please note- We are rigorous in our colour selection and have found that 2% of the blooms revert back to “Flinders Red” in colour.
Certified Demeter Biodynamic and Certified Organic
SEED COUNT: 450 approx
Germination: Lot#37688 99% Feb 2025
Seed Raising, Growing and Harvest Information
| Plant Type | Site | Spacing | Height | Sowing Depth |
Days to Germination |
Days to Maturity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hardy Annual |
Full Sun | 15 - 20cm apart | 30-60cm | 4-6mm | 14-28 days @ 16-24°C |
55-65 days |
DIRECT SEED(recommended) - Sow mid Autumn - late Winter. Poppy seeds are very tiny - mix with sand to help disperse. Sow seeds into depressions or furrows of well amended soil. Cover lightly. When plants have 3 leaves, thin to 15-20cm for strong plants. Thin early so as not to disturb roots. Given proper spacing, plants will produce more blooms.
TRANSPLANT- Shirley poppies DO NOT like root disturbance. We are successful with soil blocks. Place 2 seeds in each cell. LIGHTLY COVER with vermiculite. Poppy seeds prefer cooler temperatures for germination. DO NOT place on a heat mat. They also prefer fluctuations in day and night temperatures.
Keep evenly moist and use a soft spray of water so as not to dislodge seed.
When the plants have 2 true leaves, thin to one per cell. Transplant at 15-20cm spacing in well amended soil when plants have 3-4 leaves. Plants thrive in cooler temperatures and survive frosts.
NOTE - Poppy seed is super fine, like caster sugar. To not drop all seed in one spot, mix the seed with a little fine sand.
HARVEST - Harvest blooms just as they are opening and before bees find them. Individual flowers are short lived—lasting 3 to 4 days if stem ends are seared 7 to 10 seconds in boiling water. Buds will continue to open on cut stems.
