An heirloom variety of Papaver rhoeas, famous for its stunning blooms in a range of soft, pastel colours like pink, red, white, and lavender, each often featuring a darker centre. The flowers have a delicate, frilled appearance, resembling fine tissue paper, adding a dreamlike quality to your garden. They grow to a height of 2-3 feet (60-90 cm), with slender, tall stems that sway gently in the breeze, creating movement and elegance.
One “version” on the history of the Shirley Poppy traces back to the late 19th century, specifically to Reverend William Wilks, a vicar from the village of Shirley, Surrey, England. Reverend Wilks was inspired by a chance discovery in a cornfield near his home where he observed a unique wild poppy with a white border. Intrigued, he began carefully selecting and breeding poppies with similar traits, leading to the development of the Shirley Poppy as we know it today.
Through selective breeding, Wilks expanded the colour range from the vivid red of the common field poppy (Papaver rhoeas) to include softer pastel shades of pink, white, and mauve. He aimed to create a decorative, non-invasive poppy that would be suitable for ornamental gardens. By the early 20th century, the Shirley Poppy had gained international popularity due to its charming appearance and ease of cultivation.
Although, I am not 100% convinced this is truth. It is a nice story!
These poppies are well-suited for a variety of garden settings, thriving in both full sun and partial shade. They do best in well-drained, moderately fertile soil but are adaptable to different soil types. While they can tolerate some drought once established, they perform best with regular watering. Shirley poppies are also known for their resistance to pests and diseases, making them an excellent choice for gardeners seeking a hardy, trouble-free plant.
In addition to their beauty, Shirley poppies attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies, making them a valuable part of a pollinator-friendly garden. The blooms are also highly sought after by florists for both fresh and dried arrangements, known for their ethereal charm. Shirley poppies are often included in wildflower mixes due to their hardy nature and prolific self-seeding qualities.
Whether used to enhance borders, wildflower meadows, or as cut flowers for arrangements, the Shirley Poppy Mix offers a soft yet bold statement in any garden. These flowers add a touch of classic, old-world charm and are perfect for those seeking a low-maintenance, naturalistic garden that continues to bloom year after year.
These seeds are available directly from Garden Faerie Botanicals in the heart of British Columbia, Canada. The collection features heirloom and heritage seeds that are personally cultivated organically without the use of any chemicals. Emphasizing historical, rare, non-GMO seeds, this selection preserves biodiversity through open-pollination.
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