RECOMMENDED VARIETIES

‘Beauty of Livermere’ AGM: The essence of what a poppy should be: large, crimson-scarlet, with sizeable black blotches. Height 39in (99cm).

‘Black and White’ AGM: Bold, slightly ruffled flowers of pure white, with a distinct basal blotch on compact plants. Height 28in (71cm).

‘Garden Glory’: Large flowers in salmon orange, with curled and frilly petals giving a full effect. Height 32in (81cm).

‘Perry’s White’: Large white flowers, with a fuzzy purple blotch at the base. Blooms are usually suffused with pink. Height 36in (91cm).

‘Effendi’ AGM: Large, ruffled flowers in bright salmon pink and soft orange shades. The petals are pleated to give a ruffled effect. Height 32in (81cm).

‘Forncett Summer’: Broad, fringed petals of coral pink, with a small black base. Height 32in (81cm).

‘Karine’ AGM: A smaller cultivar; medium-sized blooms of pastel salmon pink flowers, with a red base. Height 32in (81cm).

‘Lauren’s Lilac’: A strong grower bearing purple-mauve flowers, with black blotches. Height 32in (81cm).

‘Patty’s Plum’: Large flowers of rich purple-pink, with black blotches at the base. Flowers fade as they age. Height 32in (81cm).

‘Picotee’: Distinctive, unblotched white flowers edged with scarlet of various width. Rather thin stems. Height 28in (71cm).

‘Pink Panda’: Large, blotched, ruffled flowers of pale pink on strong stems. Height 32in (81cm).

‘Türkenlouis’: Scarlet flowers, with fringed petals. Height 32in (81cm).

‘The Falklands’: Deep-red flowers, with purple blotches and fringed petals. Height 32in (81cm).

‘Watermelon’: Large, ruffled blooms of unusual reddish pink, with a showy black, basal blotch. Height 32in (81cm).