How to Grow Shirley Double Pink
Wikimedia Commons
Shirley Double Pink
Papaver rhoeas 'Shirley Double Pink'
flowerShirley Double Pink is a cultivar of the common poppy featuring fully double, ruffled petals in soft pink tones with white edges. These cheerful annual flowers bloom profusely throughout summer and self-seed readily for seasons to come. They are popular cottage garden flowers valued for their delicate appearance and long vase life.
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Example Shirley Double Pink timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Shirley Double Pink
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 Shirley Double Pink blooms
Around Jun 11≈ 55 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Shirley Double Pink dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Hardy annual thriving in zones 2-10; prefers cool-season growing in zones 3-8
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Seed and Germination
7-14 daysTiny seeds scattered on or lightly pressed into soil. Seeds require light exposure to germinate.
Do not cover seeds deeply. Keep soil moist but not waterlogged during germination (7-14 days). Thin seedlings to proper spacing once they develop first true leaves.
Seedling and Vegetative Growth
3-4 weeksDelicate seedlings with thin stems and feathery, finely-cut foliage. Plants develop bushy growth habit.
Thin seedlings to 6-9 inches apart to prevent crowding. Water gently to avoid damaging tender stems. Can be transplanted carefully while very young if necessary.
Budding
2-3 weeksThin, wiry stems elongate with distinctive nodding buds forming. Buds are enclosed in papery sepals.
Support tall varieties with light staking if in windy locations. Maintain consistent moisture. Reduce nitrogen-heavy feeding to encourage flowers over foliage.
Flowering
4-8 weeks (continues through summer)Fully double, ruffled pink petals with white-edged edges open into 2-3 inch blooms. Multiple flowers per plant.
Deadhead spent flowers to encourage continuous blooming and prevent self-seeding (if not desired). Cut flowers in early morning for best vase life.
Seed Set and Decline
2-4 weeksIf flowers are not deadheaded, seed pods develop. Foliage may decline in heat or humidity.
Allow some flowers to mature for seeds if desired for next season's self-sowing. Can be challenging to maintain in hot, humid climates.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Spray with strong water stream; use insecticidal soap or neem oil if severe. Encourage natural predators like ladybugs.
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Improve air circulation, avoid overhead watering. Apply sulfur dust or fungicide if needed; affected leaves can be removed.
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Increase humidity and air circulation. Spray with water or use miticide if population is high.
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and
Hand-pick early morning or evening. Use beer traps, copper barriers, or diatomaceous earth around plants.
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Row covers on young seedlings; neem oil spray; encourage beneficial insects.
Uses
Edible Flower Garnish
CulinaryShirley poppy petals are non-toxic and can be used as a delicate garnish for salads, cakes, and desserts. They add visual appeal and a slightly sweet flavor to culinary presentations. [source]
Cut Flowers and Floral Arrangements
CraftThe distinctive double pink blooms are prized for fresh flower arrangements and cottage garden bouquets. Their ruffled texture and soft coloring make them popular in both formal and informal designs. [source]
Dried Flowers and Seed Pods
HouseholdBoth the flowers and decorative seed pods dry well and can be used in dried arrangements, wreaths, and dried flower crafts. Seed pods add architectural interest to arrangements. [source]
Pollinator Support
WildlifePoppies attract bees and other pollinators with their abundant pollen and nectar. The foliage also provides food for some caterpillar species, supporting biodiversity. [source]
Traditional Uses
MedicinalWhile Papaver rhoeas is not as potent as opium poppies, petals have been used traditionally in folk medicine for mild sedative properties and to make herbal teas. Always verify safety and legality before consumption. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Harvest flowers in early morning after dew dries but before sun heats them. Cut stems at an angle just as petals begin to open for longest vase life (7-10 days in fresh water). For seed collection, allow flowers to mature on plant, then harvest papery seed pods when dry and brown, store in cool, dry location. Plants readily self-seed if flowers are allowed to mature.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Shirley poppies became famous in the Victorian era when Reverend William Wilks of Shirley, England began selecting and breeding the common poppy for ornamental double flowers, creating the modern 'Shirley' strain that is still popular today.
- 🌱 Poppy seeds are incredibly long-lived and can germinate after lying dormant in soil for many years, sometimes sprouting decades later when soil is disturbed.
- 🌱 The nodding buds of poppies are a distinctive feature—they hang downward until just before opening, then straighten as the flower blooms, likely a mechanism to protect delicate petals during their most vulnerable early stage.
Gardening Terms
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