Poppy ‘Sundew’ is a dazzling ornamental poppy variety that produces large, crêpe-paper-like blooms in brilliant shades of red, pink, and orange with contrasting dark centres. This variety is particularly loved for its showy, almost glowing flowers that add instant drama to garden beds and borders.

Poppies (Papaver species) are native across Europe, Asia, and North Africa and have been cultivated for centuries as ornamental flowers. The ‘Sundew’ strain is a modern ornamental selection, bred for its vibrant colours and striking garden presence. Bees are especially fond of poppies, and the flowers provide them with easy access to pollen during the blooming season.

Poppies have long been a symbol of remembrance and beauty in cultures across the world. While ‘Sundew’ is ornamental, it is excellent for cutting gardens and floral arrangements. A patch of these poppies will also self-seed readily, ensuring colour returns year after year with very little work.

How it Grows
Poppy ‘Sundew’ is an annual that grows to around 60–90 cm tall with upright stems and finely divided foliage. It thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. Once established, it is drought-tolerant and low-maintenance, making it ideal for both cottage gardens and wildflower-style plantings.

How to Grow From Seed:

Sow seeds directly where they are to grow, as poppies dislike transplanting.

Scatter seed thinly on prepared soil in autumn or early spring, and cover very lightly with a fine layer of soil or sand.

Keep soil moist until germination, which usually takes 10–14 days.

Thin seedlings to 15–20 cm apart once large enough to handle. Poppies prefer poor to average soil and too much fertiliser will result in more foliage and fewer flowers.

Deadhead spent blooms to prolong flowering, or leave some seed heads to self-sow for next year.