The sharp contrasting colors of scarlet red and white are stunning in mass plantings. Petal edges are fringed and surround a white center in the shape of a cross. This heirloom flower has its named because the color arrangement appears like the Danish flag. After the petals drop the seed pods have their own appeal in the garden and when dried they make a great addition to floral decorations.

300 Seeds

PLANTING

Papaver somniferum

Annual

Germination:7-14 days

Germination Temperature:Optimum soil temperatures are 50-65F.

Seed Planting Depth:Sow on the surface, press into soil

Starting Indoors:Difficult to transplant, not recommended. Roots and stems are fragile. Sowing into individual biodegradable peat/cow pots reduces rootdamage when transplanting. Sow 2-3 seeds per cell/pot. Transplanta few weeks before the last frost.

Sowing Outdoors:Early spring as soon as the ground can be workedor in the fall. Sow a few seeds every 6-9″ or prepare a weed free seed bedandsprinkle down seeds. Thin theseedlings 6-9″ apart.Do not startpoppies in hot weather. Germination and growth will be poor sow them in late falland early spring.

Growth Habit:Uprightsingle stem

Height and Width:24-36″

Spacing:6-9″ apart

Light Needs:Full sun, part shade in hot climates

Soil Needs: Average,loamy, sandy, well-drained

Approximate days to flower from seed: 60-70 days, late spring to early summer

Uses: Flower beds, cottage and wildflower gardens, cut flowers,attracts pollinators

Care:Leave the flowers and pods on to self-seed for the following season. Deadhead flowersandpods if you don’t want them to self-seed. Seed pods can be used for dried arrangements or left in the garden for winter appeal.