Oriental Seeds 'Poppy Checkers'

• Silky white flowers with black central cross
• Ideal for a sunny border
• Dried seedheads look good in flower arrangements
• Easy to grow

Oriental poppy ‘Checkers’ looks spectacular in early summer with its silky white flowers on tall stems, each flower showing a deep purple-black cross at its centre. This sensational perennial poppy will flower in its first year if sown early. It’s easy to grow and happy in a sunny border, coming back year after year.

Sow indoors

Almost fill a seed tray with moist seed compost. Sow seeds thinly over the surface, and lightly cover them with a little more compost. Place in the warmth, 10-15°C and keep moist.

Grow on

Keep seedlings in a light position, but shade from direct sunlight. When large enough to handle, transplant individually to 8cm pots of potting compost.

Plant out

Gradually accustom plants to outside conditions for 2-3 weeks before planting out during autumn. Allow 30cm between plants.

Sow outdoors

Seed can also be sown outdoors in short, shallow, pre-watered rows. Lightly cover with a little soil, and keep soil moist until seedlings emerge. Transplant young plants to their flowering positions in autumn. Earlier sowings will flower the same year; later sowings will bloom earlier the following year.