Papaver somniferum var paeoniflorum |
Native Region: Eastern Europe/Asia
Zone Range: 5-9
Preferred Climate: Sunny sites with well draining soil.
Harvest Date: Sunday 10 October, 2010
Seed count: 150-200
Description:
Beautiful summer flowers that really look like exquisite late blooming peonies until you look at the thick grey-green leaves. Open pollinated blend of dark red, pink, and mauve flowered plants. These plants successfully over wintered and we were rewarded with profuse bloom from July to early August in northern BC. Monocarpic.
Notes:
Opium poppies must be one of the oldest species mankind has cultivated. Once a sacred plant giving comforting pain relief that no other analgesic can offer to become much abused in the wrong hands like many of nature’s gifts. Possessing poppy seeds is not illegal in many countries (thats why poppy seed bakery products are still available in the USA) BUT it may be illegal to sow the seed/grow the plant. Please check with your country's laws and regulations before purchasing BUT we know that can't ship to the USA...sorry.
Cultivation:
The best plants for profuse summer display are those started outdoors late August or early September. Best sown where they will be grown as they resent transplanting unless you really know what you are doing. If you do grow in situ, don’t thin until the last frost as you will have a certain amount of winter kill. Dense heavy soils have a higher winter kill rate than loamy, well draining soils. Depending on your site and zone, the display could start in late May.
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