Scarlet Peony 80mg ~200 Seeds

This is a stunning variety with silky crimson red petals and fully double blooms. A companion plant for most other poppies and an easy-to-grow large flowering plant......superb in the flower border!

This type and colour of poppy has been grown in England since the Middle Ages, it is one of our oldest varieties but also one of the most popular.

Peony poppies send up thick flower stems that rise as high as 5 feet and produce five to ten nodding flower heads. When the flowers do burst, overnight, from their casings, the gardener is treated to some of the most dramatic flowers in the plant kingdom.

As if this weren't enough to tempt any gardener, once the petals drop, one is left with a spectacular, instantly recognizable seedpod.

Sowing: Sow in pots in Autumn or directly in Spring
For Autumn planting sow seeds in peat pellets or newspaper pots, poppies do not transplant well at all because they have very sensitive root systems. Seeds germinate in less than two weeks. Keep moist at all times, transplant to larger pots as seedlings grow. Plant out in Spring
Otherwise, sow direct where they are to flower in spring (at around 20°C / 68°F) in short drills ½ in deep.
Cover lightly with soil, mark the sowing areas with a ring of light coloured sand and label if sowing more than one annual in the same bed.
The seedlings will appear in rows approx 6-8 weeks after planting and can be told from nearby weed seedlings quite easily.

Cultivation:
Thin the seedlings out so they are finally 12” in apart by early summer. Be ruthless, just leave the biggest and most healthy looking. By doing this, you'll get more flowers and pods per plant that are bigger and stronger.
Poppies don't need to be watered too often, but when you do water, give it a nice soaking. This will promote strong root growth. After about 6 to 8 weeks of vegetative growth, add a high Phosphorus fertilizer for the flowering stage.

Aftercare:
The most serious problem for these poppies is root rot. Excellent drainage is a must. Snails find the young leaves very tasty, so a snail deterrent is recommended. They can be prone to grey mold, but usually this is only a cosmetic issue. Once they get established, P. somniferums are very hardy.

Poppies will begin to bloom 10 to 12 weeks from the time you plant them. Their pedals will drop after about 48 to 72 hours. The pods will continue to grow for the next couple weeks. During this period, it's very important not to water them unless absolutely necessary. Once pods turn a bluish tint with a white film on top, they are ready for harvest

Plant Uses:
Cottage/Informal Garden, Flower Borders and Beds, Flower Arranging

Other Information:
The seeds of this plant can be used in cooking but if eaten raw, can cause mild stomach upset.