Poppy 'Thai Silk Appleblossom'

Thai Silk California Poppies - 'Appleblossom' (Eschscholzia californica)

Embrace sun-kissed whimsy with our 'Appleblossom' Thai Silk California Poppies! This delightful variety features beautiful, ruffle-edged flowers in a soft, dreamy mix of creamy white and delicate pink, which open to reveal a bright, cheerful centre. These versatile and drought-tolerant plants are remarkably easy to grow and bloom all summer long. Their compact size makes them perfectly suited for small spaces and containers, where they'll provide a continuous cascade of colour. These cheerful blossoms are also a favourite of pollinators, adding a lively buzz to your garden.

DETAILS:
 
QTY: 50

TYPE: Annual; Self-sowing
 
SITE: Full sun

DEPTH: Surface; Do not cover

GERMINATION: 14-21 days at 16-18°C

HEIGHT: 12 - 18"

MATURITY: 80 - 90 Days

SPACING: 9 - 12"

PINCH: No

HOW TO GROW:

Direct seed (recommended): Sow seeds directly outdoors in late fall or early spring when there is still a chance of frost or light snow. Poppies generally do not transplant well due to their delicate root systems. Gently rake the tiny seeds into the soil surface; do not bury them as they need light to germinate. Water gently after sowing.

Transplanting (alternative, use caution): If you choose to start seeds indoors, sow them into compostable pots (like peat or coir pots) 6-8 weeks before your last expected frost. This minimizes root disturbance during transplanting. The seeds are very small, so bottom watering is recommended until seedlings emerge to avoid washing them away. Harden off seedlings for 7-10 days before transplanting the entire biodegradable pot into the garden after all danger of frost is past.

Soil Preference: Poppies thrive in full sun and prefer well-drained soil. They are not particularly fussy about soil fertility and can tolerate average to poor soils. Avoid heavy, waterlogged soils, which can lead to root rot.

Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist during the germination period and while seedlings are establishing. Once mature, poppies are relatively drought-tolerant. Water them deeply but infrequently, allowing the soil to dry out slightly between waterings. Avoid overhead watering, which can damage delicate blooms.

Fertilizing: Poppies generally do not require much fertilizer. In fact, too much nitrogen can lead to lush foliage at the expense of blooms. If your soil is very poor, you can amend it with a small amount of compost before planting. No additional fertilizing is typically needed once plants are established.

Self-Seeding: Although most common poppies (e.g., Shirley Poppies, California Poppies) are annuals, they readily self-seed in favorable conditions, often giving the appearance of perennial growth in subsequent years.