How to Grow Shirley Salmon
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Shirley Salmon
Papaver rhoeas
flowerShirley Salmon is a cultivar of common poppy featuring delicate, double-petaled flowers in warm salmon-pink tones. These charming annuals grow 24-30 inches tall with feathery foliage and are excellent cut flowers and garden ornamentals. They bloom prolifically throughout summer when given cool temperatures and good drainage.
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Example Shirley Salmon timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Shirley Salmon
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 Salmon blooms
Around Jun 16≈ 60 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Shirley Salmon dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 2-8; prefers cool to moderate summer temperatures
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Seedling
2-3 weeksTiny seedlings with cotyledons emerge within 10-14 days. First true leaves are finely divided and feathery.
Keep soil moist but not soggy. Provide bright light. Thin seedlings to spacing when 2-3 inches tall. Handle carefully as young plants are delicate.
Vegetative Growth
3-4 weeksPlant develops bushy foliage with deeply cut, feathery leaves forming a mounding habit. Height increases gradually to 12-18 inches.
Water regularly. Pinch back once at 6 inches tall to encourage branching and bushier growth. Apply balanced fertilizer every 2 weeks.
Budding & Flowering Initiation
1-2 weeks before first bloomFlower buds appear on thin stems above foliage. Buds are enclosed in fuzzy sepals that will be shed as flowers open.
Begin weekly deadheading of spent flowers to extend blooming. Reduce nitrogen fertilizer; apply phosphorus-rich bloom booster. Water at soil level only.
Full Bloom & Flowering
6-10 weeks (longer in cool climates)Double salmon-pink flowers with ruffled petals open wide during morning and close in afternoon heat. Each flower lasts 1-2 days; continuous new blooms appear.
Deadhead daily for sustained flowering. Stake taller plants in windy locations. Ensure consistent moisture. Enjoy as fresh-cut flowers; cut in early morning.
Seed Set & Decline
Until frost or heat stressAs temperatures rise or days shorten, flowering slows. Flowers transition to seed pods if not deadheaded.
Allow some flowers to remain unharvested if you want self-seeding next season. Once temperatures consistently exceed 75°F (24°C), plants may cease blooming.
Common Pests
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Spray with strong water stream; use insecticidal soap or neem oil if severe. Encourage beneficial insects like ladybugs.
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Increase humidity with misting. Apply sulfur dust or neem oil. Remove heavily infested leaves.
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Improve air circulation by spacing plants adequately. Apply sulfur-based fungicide or baking soda spray (1 tbsp per gallon water). Remove affected foliage.
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and
Hand-pick in early morning. Create barriers with crushed eggshells or diatomaceous earth. Use beer traps.
Uses
Edible Flowers
CulinaryPoppy petals are edible and can garnish salads, cakes, and cocktails, adding visual appeal and delicate flavor. Ensure flowers are pesticide-free before consumption. [source]
Cut Flower Arrangements
CraftShirley Salmon poppies are among the finest cut flowers due to their delicate double petals, warm color, and longevity in water. They are prized for bridal bouquets, garden arrangements, and floral design. [source]
Pollinator Support
WildlifePoppy flowers attract bees, hoverflies, and other beneficial insects, particularly when allowed to produce pollen. They provide early-season nectar. [source]
Garden Color & Border Accent
HouseholdWith their warm salmon tones and feathery foliage, these poppies brighten cottage gardens, borders, and naturalized meadow plantings, creating a romantic, whimsical aesthetic. [source]
Historical & Ornamental Interest
MedicinalWhile common poppies have mild sedative properties in traditional medicine, Shirley cultivars are primarily grown as ornamentals. Not recommended for medicinal use. [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 stems are fully hydrated, just as petals begin to unfold. Cut above the first set of leaves to encourage branching. Remove lower leaves and place in cool water immediately. Change water every 2 days. Cut flowers last 7-10 days indoors. For seeds, allow 2-3 pods to mature on plant; collect when pods turn brown and papery, then dry completely before storing.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Shirley poppies were developed in the late 19th century by Rev. William Wilks of Shirley, England, who selectively bred red wild poppies to create these gentler, double-petaled cultivars—making them true heritage flowers with nearly 150 years of breeding history.
- 🌱 Poppy flowers follow a circadian rhythm, opening in the morning and closing by afternoon, especially on warm days. The double petals of Shirley varieties make them particularly sensitive to heat-induced closure.
- 🌱 Common poppies are prolific self-seeders; they were so widespread in European grain fields during wars (particularly WWI) that they became symbols of remembrance and inspired the famous 'In Flanders Fields' poem.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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