Shirley Poppy ‘Amazing Grey’

Papaver rhoeas

Features

  • Dryable
  • Easy to grow
  • Medium producer
  • Pollinator-friendly

Description

The petite flowers on ‘Amazing Grey’ are the most haunting purple-gray hue, similar in color to ‘Nimbus’ sweet peas. We’ve never seen anything like it! Plants are vigorous and free-flowering. After blooms drop, they leave behind adorable chocolate-capped seedpods. Perfect for personal use and event work.

Details

Plant type: hardy annual
Height: 26 to 30 in
Site: full sun
Days to maturity: 55 to 65 days
Plant spacing: 9 in
Pinch: not necessary

Seed Sowing & Growing Notes

Shirley poppies resent transplanting. Direct-sow into the garden after all danger of frost has passed. Seed can be started indoors, just take care when transplanting out not to disturb the roots too much.

Harvesting/Vase Life

Individual flowers are short-lived, lasting 3 to 4 days if stem ends are seared for 7 to 10 seconds in boiling water. Seedpods can be dried and used indefinitely.

Details

Description

The petite flowers on ‘Amazing Grey’ are the most haunting purple-gray hue, similar in color to ‘Nimbus’ sweet peas. We’ve never seen anything like it! Plants are vigorous and free-flowering. After blooms drop, they leave behind adorable chocolate-capped seedpods. Perfect for personal use and event work.

Details

Plant type: hardy annual
Height: 26 to 30 in
Site: full sun
Days to maturity: 55 to 65 days
Plant spacing: 9 in
Pinch: not necessary

Seed Sowing & Growing Notes

Shirley poppies resent transplanting. Direct-sow into the garden after all danger of frost has passed. Seed can be started indoors, just take care when transplanting out not to disturb the roots too much.

Harvesting/Vase Life

Individual flowers are short-lived, lasting 3 to 4 days if stem ends are seared for 7 to 10 seconds in boiling water. Seedpods can be dried and used indefinitely.

Sources

How to Grow

Seed-Saving Mini Course

Learn how to save seed from zinnia, dahlia, and celosia

In our upcoming free, three-part video series, you’ll learn everything you need to know to save seeds on a home scale, including how plants are pollinated and isolation techniques to ensure varieties come back true, how to tell when plants are ready to pick and how to harvest the seeds, and how to properly dry, clean, and store seeds long term.