Transition Farms: Shirley Poppy "Mother of Pearl"

Papaver rhoeas

‘Mother of Pearl’ is a beautiful mix of iridescent and smoky colours in plum, mauve, pink, raspberry and white including speckled, tip and vein highlights and unusually pollen colours adding interest to the tissue paper flower petals. Ethereal blooms that are very attractive to bees and pollinators.

‘Mother of Pearl’ was bred by Sir Cedric Morris, a painter, gardener and flower breeder - who used to wander the fields and hedgerows looking for softer poppy shades. Harriet Baker writes, “The flowers in his paintings are sensuous and living, revealing the intensity of his engagement with the subtleties of plant colouration and personality. “

Easy to grow, vigorous plants that produce an abundance of blooms over a 6-week period in late spring/early summer with small structural seed pods that work well with dried arrangements. The delicate and unusual combination of the almost not real petals and the colours make these wonderful for design work. Although the flowers are short lasting, they leave a strong impression.

Certified Demeter Biodynamic and Certified Organic

SEED COUNT: 450 approx.