How to Grow Shirley Double Red
Wikimedia Commons
Shirley Double Red
Papaver rhoeas 'Shirley Double Red'
flowerShirley Double Red is a double-flowered cultivar of the common poppy, featuring vibrant crimson-red blooms with ruffled petals that create a full, peony-like appearance. This annual flower grows 24-36 inches tall and produces stunning cut flowers ideal for garden displays and floral arrangements. The striking double flowers appear in succession throughout the growing season, providing continuous color.
When should you plant Shirley Double Red in your zone?
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Example Shirley Double Red timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Shirley Double Red
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 Red blooms
Around Jun 16≈ 60 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Shirley Double Red dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 2-9, preferring cooler to moderate climates
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Get my Shirley Double Red timeline →Growth Stages
Germination
7-14 daysTiny seedlings emerge with cotyledons (seed leaves). Seeds require light and cool temperatures to germinate.
Keep soil moist but not waterlogged. Provide light; do not cover seeds. Maintain temperatures around 50-65°F for best germination.
Seedling
3-4 weeksFirst true leaves appear; plants develop a rosette of feathery foliage. Growth is relatively slow at this stage.
Thin seedlings to proper spacing. Provide bright light and cool conditions. Water carefully to avoid damping off.
Vegetative Growth
4-6 weeksStems elongate and develop more dissected, fern-like foliage. Plant becomes bushy with multiple stems branching out.
Support tall varieties with stakes if needed. Remove spent lower leaves. Reduce watering slightly as plant matures.
Flowering
6-10 weeksDouble crimson-red flowers with ruffled petals bloom in succession at stem tips. Each flower lasts 1-2 days but new buds continuously open.
Deadhead spent flowers to encourage more blooms. Avoid excessive nitrogen fertilizer which promotes foliage over flowers. Cut flowers for arrangements when buds are just opening.
Seed Production & Decline
Ongoing until frost or heat stressIf flowers are not deadheaded, distinctive seed pods develop. Plant vigor declines as temperatures warm in late summer.
Allow some flowers to mature into seed pods if you want self-seeding. As plant declines in heat, consider pulling and replacing with summer annuals.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil; encourage beneficial insects like ladybugs
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and
Hand-pick in early morning; use slug barriers or copper tape; encourage predatory beetles
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Improve air circulation; spray with fungicide if severe; avoid overhead watering
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Increase humidity; spray with water; use miticide if infestation is heavy
Uses
Ornamental edible flowers
CulinaryPoppy petals can be used as a garnish for salads and desserts, providing vibrant color and a delicate, slightly sweet flavor. Always verify variety is culinary-safe before consuming. [source]
Cut flower arrangements
HouseholdShirley Double Red poppies are excellent for fresh flower arrangements and bouquets, lasting 1-2 days in water. The double flowers provide a full, luxurious appearance in garden-style and cottage floral designs. [source]
Traditional herbal use
MedicinalPoppy flowers have been used historically in herbal medicine for calming properties, though effectiveness is not scientifically verified. Modern use is primarily ornamental rather than medicinal. [source]
Pollinator support
WildlifePoppy flowers attract bees, hoverflies, and other beneficial insects with their abundant pollen and nectar, supporting pollinator populations in the garden ecosystem. [source]
Dried flower arrangements
CraftThe distinctive seed pods can be dried and used in dried flower arrangements and crafts. Seeds can also be collected for replanting in subsequent seasons. [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 showing color for longest vase life. Harvest by cutting stems at an angle with a sharp knife. Poppies lack significant foliage on stems, so pair with greenery in arrangements. Flowers will bloom for 1-2 days in the vase. Allow some flowers to remain on the plant for continuous blooms throughout the season.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Shirley poppies were developed in the 1880s by Reverend William Wilks of Shirley, England, who selectively bred the common red poppy to create double flowers in various colors—the name honors his village.
- 🌱 Poppy seeds have a very short viability and require light to germinate; they've been used for centuries as a 'dust of sleep' in folklore due to the opium poppy's properties, though ornamental varieties contain minimal active compounds.
- 🌱 The delicate double petals of Shirley Double Red are technically a form of petalody, where stamens mutate into petal-like structures, creating the full flower appearance rather than a simple single bloom.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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