How to Grow Scarlet Shirley Poppy
Wikimedia Commons
Scarlet Shirley Poppy
Papaver rhoeas 'Scarlet Shirley'
flowerScarlet Shirley is a vibrant annual poppy cultivar featuring double or semi-double blooms in shades of red, pink, white, and bicolor combinations. The flowers have delicate, ruffled petals and grow on slender stems, typically reaching 24-30 inches tall. This classic cottage garden favorite produces abundant, long-lasting flowers ideal for cutting and adding color to borders and meadows.
When should you plant Scarlet Shirley Poppy in your zone?
Get a personalized planting timeline — when to start seeds, transplant, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Free to start.
Example Scarlet Shirley Poppy timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
-
Plant Scarlet Shirley Poppy
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
-
Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
-
First Scarlet Shirley Poppy blooms
Around Jun 16≈ 60 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Scarlet Shirley Poppy dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 2-9 as a cool-season annual; best in zones 4-8
Sign up free to see if Scarlet Shirley Poppy grows in your zone — and get a personalized planting timeline.
Get my Scarlet Shirley Poppy timeline →Growth Stages
Germination
7-14 daysSeeds sprout on soil surface within 7-14 days; fine seedlings with thread-like cotyledons emerge.
Keep soil moist but not waterlogged. Provide cool temperatures (55-65°F preferred). No covering needed.
Seedling
2-3 weeksTrue leaves appear; seedlings develop 2-3 sets of fine, feathery foliage.
Thin seedlings to 12 inches apart. Avoid transplanting when possible; poppies have delicate roots. Keep cool and provide bright light.
Vegetative
3-4 weeksPlant grows rapidly with increasingly feathery foliage. Stems elongate and branch.
Water moderately; allow some drying between waterings. Support tall varieties with stakes if needed. Deadhead spent flowers to encourage continuous blooming.
Flowering
4-6 weeks of peak bloomDouble and semi-double flowers open in shades of scarlet, pink, white, and bicolors. Each flower lasts 1-2 days but continuous buds extend bloom.
Deadhead regularly for prolonged flowering. Cut for bouquets in early morning. Ensure good air circulation to prevent powdery mildew.
Seed Production & Decline
2-3 weeks through seed maturationIf not deadheaded, flowers fade and seed pods (ovoid capsules) develop at stem tips.
Allow some flowers to go to seed if you want self-seeding. Plant naturally declines in heat; mulch to cool roots or allow to reseed for next season.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
-
Spray with water to dislodge; use insecticidal soap or neem oil if severe. Encourage ladybugs.
-
Improve air circulation, avoid overhead watering. Apply sulfur dust or potassium bicarbonate fungicide if needed.
-
Increase humidity; spray leaves with water. Use miticides or neem oil for severe infestations.
-
and
Remove by hand, use copper tape barriers, or apply slug bait if necessary. Encourage natural predators.
Uses
Edible Flowers
CulinaryScarlet Shirley poppy petals are edible and can garnish salads and desserts, adding vibrant color and a mild, slightly sweet flavor. Always ensure flowers are grown without pesticides. [source]
Cut Flowers & Floral Arrangements
CraftThe ruffled double blooms are excellent for fresh bouquets and mixed floral arrangements, offering extended color in vases. Their delicate appearance makes them prized by florists and garden arrangers. [source]
Pollinator Support
WildlifeThe open and semi-double flowers provide pollen and nectar for bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects, supporting garden biodiversity. [source]
Seed Collection
HouseholdMature seed pods can be dried and used in dried arrangements, wreaths, and craft projects. Seeds self-sow readily for natural reseeding. [source]
Traditional Herbal Use
MedicinalCorn poppy (Papaver rhoeas) petals have been traditionally used in herbal teas and folk remedies for mild relaxation and sleep support, though modern scientific evidence is limited. [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 for longest vase life (5-8 days). Remove lower leaves from stems and place in cool water immediately. Cut regularly to encourage more blooms. For seed saving, allow select flowers to mature fully; collect seed pods when dry and brown, then extract seeds for next season.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Scarlet Shirley poppies became emblematic of remembrance during World War I, immortalized in the poem 'In Flanders Fields' by John McCrae, and remain symbols of sacrifice and memory.
- 🌱 The flowers are heliotropic, meaning they close at night and reopen in the morning, with each bloom typically lasting only one day before dropping its petals.
- 🌱 Scarlet Shirley is a cultivated variety of the common corn poppy, which has naturalized across Europe and has been used in art and literature for centuries as a symbol of sleep, death, and imagination.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
Join 30,000 gardeners planning their gardens with LizPlants.
Get your personalized Scarlet Shirley Poppy planting timeline
Tell us your zip code and we'll calculate exactly when to start Scarlet Shirley Poppy seeds, transplant seedlings, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Includes calendar reminders and printable task lists. Free to start.
Get my Scarlet Shirley Poppy timeline →