Also known as Corn Poppy, was called Ghost Poppy or Fairy Poppy early in the 20th century. Elegant semi-double blooms all summer in shades of pink, rose, salmon, scarlet and white. The name Shirley refers to the town in Surry, England, where the Rev. Henry Wilkes originally raised the variety. It was relatively new in 1890 when Hallock’s Famous Long Island Seeds said it was “conceded by all to be still the finest Novelty that we can give you this spring. The flowers are like fairy work…so silky and tissue-like…Bending and trembling with life-like beauty, the surface is a perfect shimmer of light and color.” 2½' tall. Annual. ②
Shirley Double Choice Mix Poppy
Shirley Double Choice Mix Poppy
Also known as Corn Poppy, was called Ghost Poppy or Fairy Poppy early in the 20th century. Elegant semi-double blooms all summer in shades of pink, rose, salmon, scarlet and white. The name Shirley refers to the town in Surry, England, where the Rev. Henry Wilkes originally raised the variety. It was relatively new in 1890 when Hallock’s Famous Long Island Seeds said it was “conceded by all to be still the finest Novelty that we can give you this spring. The flowers are like fairy work…so silky and tissue-like…Bending and trembling with life-like beauty, the surface is a perfect shimmer of light and color.” 2½' tall. Annual. ②
Additional Information
Poppy
Annual. Sensuous luxurious flowers, about 2½–3' tall. Poppies make wondrous cutflowers: choose buds that have straightened up but not quite opened. Immediately sear the cut stem with a flame and put in water. Poppies open after several hours—an austere bouquet in the evening can become a riot of colors the next morning.
Culture: Need light to germinate. Sow outside in spring after frost or sow in fall for early blooms the following summer. Thin to 9–12". Like full sun. Will self sow. ~1,400 to 4,500 seeds/g.
Flowers
All flowers are open-pollinated except where noted.
Days in parentheses after a variety indicate days to first bloom.
Germination Testing
For the latest results of our germination tests, please see the germination page.