The sharp contrasting colors of scarlet red and white are stunning in mass plantings. Petal edges are fringed and surround a white center in the shape of a cross. This heirloom flower has its named because the color arrangement appears like the Danish flag. After the petals drop the seed pods have their own appeal in the garden and when dried they make a great addition to floral decorations. 300 Seeds PLANTING Papaver somniferum Annual Germination: 7-14 days Germination Temperature: Optimum soil temperatures are 50-65ºF. Seed Planting Depth: Sow on the surface, press into soil Starting Indoors: Difficult to transplant, not recommended. Roots and stems are fragile. Sowing into individual biodegradable peat/cow pots reduces root damage when transplanting. Sow 2-3 seeds per cell/pot. Transplant a few weeks before the last frost. Sowing Outdoors: Early spring as soon as the ground can be worked or in the fall. Sow a few seeds every 6-9" or prepare a weed free seed bed and sprinkle down seeds. Thin the seedlings 6-9" apart. Do not start poppies in hot weather. Germination and growth will be poor sow them in late fall and early spring. Growth Habit: Upright single stem Height and Width: 24-36" Spacing: 6-9" apart Light Needs: Full sun, part shade in hot climates Soil Needs: Average, loamy, sandy, well-drained Approximate days to flower from seed: 60-70 days, late spring to early summer Uses: Flower beds, cottage and wildflower gardens, cut flowers, attracts pollinators Care: Leave the flowers and pods on to self-seed for the following season. Deadhead flowers and pods if you don't want them to self-seed. Seed pods can be used for dried arrangements or left in the garden for winter appeal.
