Common Poppy 'Doubles Mix'

Thin the seedlings to allow the strongest room to grow

Try to plant in a location that enjoys partial sun and remember to apply water fairly sparingly. Keep in mind when planting that Doubles Mix is thought of as half hardy, so remember to watch your frost dates and ensure you have this plant protected when the temperature dips.

Poppy seeds germinate easily, so sow very thinly. They also self seed and can be transplanted if discovered early enough in the ‘wrong’ place. The seedlings are easily identified as the leaves are a blue green colour even in the tiniest plant

Ensure a distance of 5.85 inches (15.0 cm) between seeds when sowing - look to sow at a depth of approximately 0.12 inches (0.3 cm). Soil temperature should be kept higher than 15°C / 59°F to ensure good germination.

Best to sow direct. Choose a sunny well drained spot towards the front of the border and do not exclude light from the geminating seed

Ensure that temperatures are mild (minimum night temperatures should be around 10°C / 50°F) and all chance of frost has passed before planting out, as Doubles Mix is a half hardy plant.

Poppy flowers do not make good cut flowers, as the petals easily fall, but the dried seed heads are really useful and can also be sprayed with paint

This variety tends to be ready for harvesting by late summer.