How to Grow Double Shirley Mix
Wikimedia Commons
Double Shirley Mix
Papaver rhoeas
flowerDouble Shirley Mix is a cultivar of corn poppy featuring fully double, ruffled blooms in a vibrant mix of red, pink, white, and bicolor combinations. These annual flowers grow 24-36 inches tall and produce abundant, long-lasting flowers perfect for cutting gardens. The delicate, tissue-paper-like petals create an elegant, peony-like appearance.
When should you plant Double Shirley Mix in your zone?
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Example Double Shirley Mix timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Double Shirley Mix
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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First Double Shirley Mix blooms
Around Jun 16≈ 60 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Double Shirley Mix dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 2-9; prefers cooler spring conditions
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Germination & Seedling
2-3 weeksSeeds sprout in 7-14 days at cool temperatures (60-70°F). Seedlings develop feathery, finely-divided foliage and remain low to the ground.
Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Provide bright light. Thin seedlings to 9 inches apart. Cold stratification (sowing in fall or chilling seeds) improves germination.
Vegetative Growth
3-4 weeksPlants develop tall, sturdy stems with blue-green, finely-divided foliage. Plants reach 12-24 inches before flowering begins.
Reduce watering as plants mature; poppies prefer drier conditions once established. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizer, which promotes foliage over flowers. Stake tall varieties in windy locations.
Bud Formation
2-3 weeksDistinctive round, nodding buds appear at stem tips. Buds are covered in bristly hairs and gradually elongate as flowers develop inside.
Maintain moderate watering. Buds typically take 2-3 weeks to mature. Do not disturb plants; poppies resent transplanting once buds form.
Flowering
4-6 weeksBuds split open and fully double, ruffled flowers unfurl in shades of red, pink, white, salmon, and bicolors. Each flower lasts 1-2 days but successive buds ensure prolonged blooming.
Deadhead spent flowers to extend blooming season. Water at soil level to avoid wetting petals. Cut flowers in early morning for longest vase life (7-10 days).
Seed Development & Decline
2-3 weeksAfter petals fall, seed pods enlarge and mature. Plants gradually decline as temperatures warm in summer.
Leave a few flowers unbloomed to allow self-seeding for next season. In cool climates, poppies may self-sow successfully. Remove dead plants when heat stress begins.
Common Pests
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Spray with water to dislodge; use insecticidal soap or neem oil if severe
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Remove by hand, use copper barriers, or apply slug bait around plants
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Improve air circulation, avoid overhead watering, remove infected foliage
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Ensure adequate spacing for air flow, apply sulfur or fungicide if needed
Uses
Edible Flower Garnish
CulinaryDouble Shirley Mix petals are edible and make stunning garnishes for salads, desserts, and beverages. The petals add visual drama with their ruffled texture and vibrant colors, though flavor is mild. [source]
Cut Flowers & Floral Arrangements
CraftThe fully double blooms are exceptional cut flowers, lasting 7-10 days in water. Their peony-like appearance makes them ideal for wedding bouquets, mixed arrangements, and cottage-style displays. [source]
Dried Flowers
HouseholdDouble Shirley Mix flowers can be dried for long-lasting arrangements and crafts. Hang-dry in bundles in a cool, dark location, or press blooms between paper for flat arrangements. [source]
Pollinator Support
WildlifePoppy flowers attract bees and other pollinating insects. The open, accessible flower structure makes pollen and nectar readily available to beneficial insects. [source]
Ornamental Herbal Interest
MedicinalWhile these ornamental poppies contain alkaloids typical of Papaver rhoeas, they are not used medicinally in the same way as opium poppies. However, corn poppy is traditionally brewed as a mild tea for relaxation. [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 just opening or fully open but before petals thin. Cut stems at a 45-degree angle just above a leaf node to encourage branching. Remove lower foliage before placing in water. Change water daily. Flowers last 7-10 days in a vase. Allow some flowers to mature and produce seed pods if self-sowing is desired for next season.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Double Shirley Mix was developed in the early 20th century by the Reverend Wilkes, an English vicar who selectively bred corn poppies to create fully double flowers in a range of colors.
- 🌱 Poppies have been symbols of sleep, death, and remembrance across cultures for centuries; the double forms enhance their theatrical, ornamental appeal.
- 🌱 Poppy seeds from the pod can remain viable in soil for 15-20 years, which is why poppies famously bloom prolifically after soil is disturbed—seeds germinate when conditions are right.
Gardening Terms
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