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How to Grow Barlow's Double Burgundy Poppy

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Barlow's Double Burgundy Poppy

Papaver rhoeas 'Barlow's Double Burgundy'

flower

Barlow's Double Burgundy is a stunning cultivar of the Corn Poppy featuring fully double, ruffled flowers in deep burgundy-wine tones. This heirloom variety produces showy blooms on tall, slender stems ideal for cutting gardens and cottage-style landscapes. The intricate petals create a peony-like appearance rarely seen in poppies.

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Example Barlow's Double Burgundy Poppy timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

  1. Plant Barlow's Double Burgundy Poppy

    Around Apr 17

    Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.

  2. Tend & protect

    Late spring–summer

    Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.

  3. First Barlow's Double Burgundy Poppy blooms

    Around Jun 26

    ≈ 70 days after planting

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Barlow's Double Burgundy Poppy dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

☀️
Sun: Full sun, 6+ hours daily; morning sun with afternoon shade in hot climates (zones 8-9)
💧
Water: Moderate water; allow soil to dry between waterings. Water at soil level to avoid wetting foliage. Drought-tolerant once established; overwatering leads to disease and reduced flowering.
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Spacing: 6 inches
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Days to maturity: 70-90 days from sowing to first bloom
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Planting depth: Surface sow or just barely cover seeds; light is needed for germination

Soil

Type: Well-draining sandy or loamy soil; tolerates poor soil
pH: 6.0-7.5
Amendments:
Perlite or coarse sand for drainage Minimal compost—avoids overly rich soil that encourages leafy growth over flowers

Growing Zones

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Thrives in zones 2-9; prefers cooler climates and performs best as a cool-season annual

2a 2b 3a 3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a

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Growth Stages

1

Germination & Seedling

10-14 days to germination; 3-4 weeks to true leaves

Tiny seedlings emerge with fine, hair-like cotyledons. Delicate blue-green foliage develops.

Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Thin seedlings to 6 inches apart. Provide bright light and good air circulation to prevent damping off.

2

Vegetative Growth

4-6 weeks

Feathery, finely divided foliage builds on slender stems. Plant reaches 18-30 inches tall depending on conditions.

Reduce watering frequency as plant matures. Support tall stems with stakes if grown in sheltered locations. Avoid excessive nitrogen fertilizer.

3

Bud Formation

2-3 weeks

Terminal buds develop at stem tips, enclosed in bristly green sepals. Buds swell and gain weight before opening.

Maintain consistent moderate watering. Ensure adequate sunlight for robust bud development. Can deadhead spent nearby flowers to encourage branching.

4

Flowering

4-8 weeks (longer if deadheaded regularly)

Sepals drop to reveal fully double, ruffled burgundy flowers with pompon or peony-like form. Blooms are 2-3 inches across on long, slender stems.

Cut flowers in early morning for vase life (lasts 3-5 days). Deadhead spent blooms promptly to extend flowering season. Provide stakes for support in windy conditions.

5

Seed Development & Decline

3-4 weeks; plant may self-seed

If flowers are left unpollinated, seed pods develop and enlarge into distinctive ornamental urns. Foliage yellows and plant begins to decline.

Allow some flowers to mature to seed if collecting seed for next year. Once pods dry, harvest and store in cool, dry location. Plant naturally declines in heat.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Cornflowers Larkspur Sweet alyssum Bachelor's buttons Nigella Statice Wheat or ornamental grasses Foxgloves Delphiniums

Avoid planting near:

Fennel Dill Garlic Plants requiring consistent moisture (poppies dislike wet feet)

Common Pests

  • Spray with strong water jet; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil if severe. Encourage beneficial insects like ladybugs.

  • and

    Handpick in evening hours. Use copper barriers or diatomaceous earth around base. Remove debris providing shelter.

  • Ensure good air circulation. Avoid overhead watering. Apply sulfur dust or baking soda spray (1 tbsp per gallon water + few drops dish soap).

  • Prevent through excellent drainage and avoiding overwatering. Remove infected plants promptly. Do not replant poppies in same location for 2-3 years.

Uses

🍳

Ornamental garnish

Culinary

The stunning double flowers can elegantly garnish desserts, cakes, and special occasion plates, though primarily for visual appeal rather than flavor. Some cultures use poppy petals (carefully verified as culinary-safe species) in specialty preparations. [source]

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Cut flower arrangements and dried arrangements

Craft

Exceptional for fresh bouquets and cottage garden arrangements due to long stems and striking burgundy coloring. Seed pods can be dried and used in long-lasting floral displays and crafts. [source]

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Pollinator support

Wildlife

Though double-flowered forms produce less pollen due to reproductive organs converting to petals, they still provide visual nectar guides and can attract bees and other pollinators to the garden. [source]

🏠

Garden ambiance and cottage garden aesthetic

Household

Adds romantic, heirloom charm to gardens, cottage landscapes, and wildflower meadows. The delicate texture and rich burgundy color create visual interest from mid-spring through early summer. [source]

💊

Traditional herbal use

Medicinal

Corn poppy (Papaver rhoeas) petals have been used traditionally in some cultures for mild sedative or soothing teas, though not commonly cultivated for this purpose in modern herbal medicine. Not a primary medicinal source compared to opium poppy. [source]

This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.

Harvest Tips

Cut flowers in early morning when buds are still slightly firm or just opening—they'll continue to open in the vase. Hold stem underwater briefly when cutting. Remove lower foliage below waterline. Change water daily; flowers last 3-5 days in a vase. For seed harvest, allow flowers to fade on plant, wait until seed pods dry and turn brown/gray, then cut pods and dry further indoors before extracting seeds.

Fun Facts

  • 🌱 Barlow's Double Burgundy is a rare heirloom variety originating from the historic Barlow family poppy breeding line in England, featuring fully double petals in an unusual burgundy wine color that doubles the visual impact of standard single-petaled corn poppies.
  • 🌱 The ruffled, peony-like double flowers are a result of reproductive organs (stamens and carpels) transforming into extra petals, which is why this cultivar produces fewer viable seeds than single-flowered poppies—making seed collection a true gardener's treasure.
  • 🌱 Poppies have been cultivated for thousands of years, with depictions found in ancient Egyptian tombs and classical art; the Barlow cultivars represent Victorian-era breeding efforts to create novelty garden varieties with extraordinary flower forms.

Gardening Terms

New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:

Cultivar Damping Off Deadhead Full Sun Heirloom
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