Mother of Pearl Poppy
Mother of Pearl Poppy is one of the most beautiful and unusual annual poppies we grow.
The flowers open in a soft, painterly range of dusty rose, mauve, lavender, blush, cream, smoky plum, and silvery pink. No two blooms are exactly alike, and together they create the look of an old-fashioned cottage garden in watercolor.
The petals are delicate and tissue-like, with a soft sheen that gives this variety its Mother of Pearl name. Some flowers are nearly solid in color, while others show subtle shading, darker centers, or beautiful two-toned petals.
For Alaska gardens, poppies are especially rewarding because they appreciate cool growing conditions and can be direct sown early. Once established, they grow quickly and bloom beautifully during our long summer days.
Mother of Pearl is a wonderful choice for cottage gardens, pollinator gardens, cut flower gardens, naturalized plantings, and anyone who loves softer, more muted flower colors.
Scientific Name: Papaver rhoeas
Plant Type: Annual
Height: Approximately 24–30 inches
Bloom Color: Mauve, lavender, blush, cream, smoky rose, plum, and soft pink
Sun: Full sun
Uses: Cottage gardens, pollinator gardens, cut flowers, naturalized plantings, and seed saving
Best For: Alaska gardens, cool climates, flower beds, borders, and informal garden plantings
Why We Love Mother of Pearl Poppy
Mother of Pearl has a completely different feel from bright red traditional poppies.
The colors are softer, more antique, and more varied, which makes the flowers especially beautiful mixed with cosmos, bachelor buttons, larkspur, calendula, and other cottage-garden flowers.
The blooms also attract bees and other pollinators throughout the flowering season.
Even after flowering, the rounded seed pods add interest to the garden and can be left standing for dried arrangements or seed saving.
Growing Instructions
Plant Mother of Pearl Poppies in full sun and well-drained soil.
Avoid overly rich soil or excessive nitrogen, which can encourage leafy growth at the expense of flowers.
Once established, poppies are relatively low maintenance and tolerate cooler weather well.
Water regularly during establishment, then allow the soil surface to dry slightly between waterings.
Deadheading spent flowers can encourage a longer bloom period. If you would like to save seed, leave some flower heads on the plant and allow the seed pods to mature and dry naturally.
For the best display, plant several together rather than scattering single plants throughout the garden. The mix of colors is what makes Mother of Pearl especially striking.
A Poppy That Looks Painted
Mother of Pearl is not a flower that shouts from across the garden.
It draws you in.
The colors are soft, smoky, and almost impossible to describe exactly because every flower is slightly different.
If you love antique colors, cottage gardens, and flowers that look as if they were painted by hand, Mother of Pearl deserves a place in the garden.