Danish Flag "Daneborg" Papaver Somniferum Poppy features enormous flowers that reach up to 6" across. Each of them is intricately crinkled and feathered or frilled, of unbelievably vivid scarlet. At the center of every flower is a snow-white Greek cross. The variety does indeed resemble the national flag of Denmark: a white cross on a scarlet field. Flowers attain a height of about 30". 

A beautiful Poppy Seed variety, the Papavaer somniferum "Danish Flag" is characterized by its bold color pattern. Vibrant red with a bright white cross through the center, this striking flower resembles the national flag of Denmark, giving this poppy somniferum seed variety its name. The Danish Flag poppy has a unique "feathered" petal on a 5" wide bloom that's sure to make quite an impact when planted in groups.

Annual
60-75 days to maturity
8-12 hours of full sun
Sprouts in 14-21 days
Seed Depth: Surface Sow
Plant Spacing: 8-10"
Ideal Temperature: 60-65 F
Frost Hardy: Yes

The Danish Flag poppy, also known as the Feathered or Fringed poppy, is perfect for adding bold color to cottage gardens, borders, and mass plantings. Prefers full sun, moderately rich, loose, well-drained soil.

Danish Flag poppy seeds are best sown directly outdoors in early spring, as soon as the soil can be worked. For warmer climates, sowing in late fall allows for overwintering, ensuring early blooms in the spring.

How to Sow and Plant

Scatter seeds on the soil surface and press them lightly, but do not cover them, as they need light to germinate. Keep the area moist until seedlings emerge, usually in 14-21 days. Once seedlings appear, thin them to 8-10 inches apart to avoid overcrowding.

Danish Flag poppies are quite low-maintenance and drought-tolerant once established. They thrive in full sun and well-drained soil. Deadheading spent blooms can encourage further flowering, and the plant will self-seed if left undisturbed.

They are resistant to deer and rabbits, making them a great addition to gardens prone to these pests. They also attract bees and other pollinators, enhancing garden biodiversity.

Growing Poppy

Plant poppy seeds in the fall or late spring / early summer after frost. Our seeds are already stratified and are ready to plant. Poppies prefer a temperature range of between 55 and 75 degrees fahrenheit. Poppies can withstand colder temperatures, but do poorly above 80 degrees.

Soak the seeds in water for 24 hours. Allow them to dry a bit for a few minutes in order to avoid water-logging the soil, as poppies do not do well in overly damp soil.

Select a sunny spot with well draining, sandy type soil. Poppies love the full sun but do not do well in temperatures above 80 degrees fahrenheit.

Scatter seeds and very gently rake to distribute. Cover with no more than 1/16" of soil. Poppies need sunlight for germination.

Mist the soil whenever it appears dry. Do not soak the soil. Germination occurs in 7-14 days (up to a month with certain varieties such as the China White strain). Germination efficiency and success is dependent on the conditions listed above.

Water sparingly with a misting bottle (do not pour water onto seedlings). Reduce the frequency of watering once seedlings reach 2-3” high as they do not like damp growing conditions. The most frequent cause of seedling failure is over-watering, which allows a fertile basis for fungal and mildew growth which often leads to seedling failure.

Do not plant in really hot weather. These seeds DO NOT like to germinate in summer-like weather. Poppies are a cold weather plant, and as such the best planting time for planting is fall-thru-late spring (depending on your location).

Poppies do not do well as transplants. If these must be transplanted, it is best to begin them in peat pods so that the entire pod can be carefully transplanted into a spot in which the roots will not be affected during transplanting.  

Copyright 2017-2025 Heirloomsnhybrids. All Rights Reserved