Flanders Fields Poppy

Flanders Field is ideal for creating a bright splash of color in a sunny corner where little else will grow or in the wildflower garden where it self-seeds with ease. They have brilliant red, 5 cm (2") flowers, with satiny, shimmering petals. Large scale plantings are a knock-out!

GROWING INFORMATION

Safe for bees

Grows Best In: Full Sun

Germination: 10 to 21 days

Best

Container Size: 12"+

Growing Height: 80 cm (32")

Sow seed directly in the garden once all danger of frost has passed.

Planting Depth: 3 mm (1/8")

Seed Spacing: 1.3 cm (1/2")

Plant Spread: 15 cm (6")

KEY FEATURES

Color: Scarlet with black centers

Plant Type: Annual

Latin Name: Papaver rhoeas

Days To Bloom: July to September

Flanders Poppies – How to Grow

Flanders poppies are very easy to grow from seed in April.  Choose a full sun position and either do a mass planting or sow in drifts through the garden.  With such a stunning red colour, you can’t have too many in the garden.

Poppy seeds should be sown directly into the garden or pots in which they are to be grown as they don’t like to be moved.  In pots, use a premium potting mix but in the garden, dig through lots of manure and compost so that it is nice and rich.  Level the soil by tamping down gently with something flat and then scatter the seeds over the top.  Cover the seed with a layer of seed raising mix that is only about 2mm thick (not too thick as the seed won’t be able to push through).  Tamp this down again and water with a gentle spray.

Keep the soil damp because if it dries out after the seeds have germinated, they will shrivel up.  Protect the seedlings from snails and as they grow, extend the flowering period by liquid feeding and removing any old flowers.

Pick the poppies as soon as you see the red of the petals showing, even whilst they are partly in bud, as this will ensure they last a long time in a tall vase and will encourage more flowers to grow.

The seedpods may self seed through the garden but the results can be a bit erratic unless the winter is cold.  They can also be collected, stored in an airtight container and then refrigerated for a month before sowing again next April.