Pizzicato is a superb oriental poppy for gardens of all sizes and types which has been awarded a Fleuroselect Gold Medal for its superb garden performance. It is indeed a special semi dwarf poppy. The huge flowers measure over 15cm (6in), in diameter, each with characteristic black blotches on a range of bright colours - red, scarlet, orange, salmon, mauve, pink and white. Each plant can produce 20 strong stems and these can withstand heavy winds too. A dynamic fresh cut flower, moreover the decorative leaves remain fresh and attractive until winter, and you can even use the seed heads for dried arrangements. Flowers summer. Height 50cm (20 inches).

Sow from late winter to early summer for flowering the following year, at 13C (55F) on the surface of a good seed compost. Keep soil damp but not wet. Do not exclude light, sealing in a polythene bag after sowing is helpful. Germination usually takes 10-21 days.

When seedlings are large enough to handle transplant into boxes or individually into 7.5cm (3in) pots. Gradually acclimatise to outdoor conditions and plant out 30cm (12in) apart from mid spring onwards in full sun and ordinary garden soil.

They can also be sown thinly outdoors in spring, into a well raked seed bed and planted out in the autumn.