Opium Poppy, Breadseed Poppy, Lettuce Leaf Poppy, Carnation Poppy, Peony Poppy, Fairy's Charms, Joan Silver Pin, John's Silver Pin, Marble Flower, Maw Seed
. Blooming for weeks in summer, the spectacular blooms sit on top of sturdy stems clad with lobed or toothed silver-green leaves, the upper ones clasping the stem.
Papaver somniferum, commonly known as the opium poppy, is native to the eastern Mediterranean region but has been widely cultivated throughout Europe and Asia.
Description: This annual flowering plant is recognized for its large, dramatic blossoms and ornamental seed pods. The flowers, up to 5 inches (12 cm) across, come in a range of colors from pure white to deep red and purple, often with a dark blotch at the base. After the petals drop, the plant produces a distinctive large, round seed pod.
Growth Habit & Size: The opium poppy grows upright and can reach up to 3-4 feet (90-120 cm) in height and about 8-12 inches wide (20-30 cm). These plants self-sow, maintaining their presence in the garden.
Flowers: The showy flowers are semi-double, double, or adorned with fringed petals. They have four to six petals, often with a dark spot at their base, and sit on top of sturdy stems. The large petals surround a green, spherical capsule topped by a disk formed by the stigmas of the flower. Quite popular are the large peony flowered poppies referred to as Peony Poppies (Papaver somniferum Paeoniiflorum Group).
Foliage: The leaves of the opium poppy are silvery-green, lobed, and can grow up to 8 inches (20 cm) long. The foliage, as well as other parts of the plant, can be somewhat hairy.
Blooming Season: Opium poppies typically bloom from late spring to early summer, depending on the climate and planting time.
Seed Capsules: Opium poppies are still attractive and ornamental once the petals fall away. Their decorative seed capsules remain. They can be used in dried flower arrangements or left in the garden for the visual interest they bring. Each plant can produce thousands of seeds, which escape when the seed pod is shaken by the wind. These poppies are among the best for reseeding in the garden.
Hardiness: Opium poppies are hardy and can grow in USDA hardiness zones 3-8. They tolerate frost and prefer cooler spring temperatures.
Uses: Opium Poppy is primarily cultivated for three reasons:
Agricultural and Culinary Use: The seeds of the opium poppy are an integral part of many diets. They’re utilized in an array of bakery items, seasonings, oils, and bird seeds. Despite being derived from the opium poppy, these seeds contain minimal levels of opiates, and the oil derived from them contains even lesser amounts.
Medicinal and Illicit Use: Opium, a dried latex produced by the seed capsules, is a primary source of various opiates. These opiates are extracted for medicinal purposes – producing drugs like morphine, codeine, and thebaine – or for illegal purposes, including the production of drugs such as opium and heroin.
Ornamental Use: Opium poppies are beloved by gardeners for their vibrant flowers, hardiness, and ease of cultivation. They are both deer-resistant and drought-tolerant, making them a robust and colorful addition to beds and borders.
Pollinators: Bees are attracted to the poppy’s large, vibrant flowers and act as primary pollinators.
Toxicity: All parts of the plant, except the seeds, contain powerful alkaloids and are toxic if ingested. Opium Poppy is toxic to humans, cats and dogs. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling.
Deer and Rabbit: Opium poppies are generally resistant to deer and rabbits due to their toxicity.
Drought: Once established, opium poppies are quite drought-tolerant, although they prefer regular water for optimal growth.
Invasiveness: While opium poppies can self-seed, they are not typically considered invasive.
Key Facts: Opium poppies have a long history of use. Their cultivation dates back to at least 3400 B.C. in lower Mesopotamia. Despite their beauty, growing opium poppies for purposes other than as an ornamental plant may be illegal in some areas due to their use in producing narcotics.
Hardiness |
3 - 8 |
---|---|
Heat Zones |
1 - 9 |
Climate Zones | 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, A1, A2, A3, H1, H2 |
Plant Type | Annuals |
Genus | Papaver |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
Season of Interest |
Summer (Early, Mid, Late) |
Height |
3' - 4' (90cm - 120cm) |
Spread |
8" - 1' (20cm - 30cm) |
Maintenance | Low |
Water Needs | Low, Average |
Soil Type | Chalk, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Dried Arrangements, Cut Flowers, Showy |
Tolerance | Drought, Deer, Rabbit |
Attracts | Bees, Butterflies |
Landscaping Ideas | Beds And Borders |
Garden Styles | Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow |
Petr Ganaj, Shutterstock, Tony Austin, Flickr
Hardiness |
3 - 8 |
---|---|
Heat Zones |
1 - 9 |
Climate Zones | 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, A1, A2, A3, H1, H2 |
Plant Type | Annuals |
Genus | Papaver |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
Season of Interest |
Summer (Early, Mid, Late) |
Height |
3' - 4' (90cm - 120cm) |
Spread |
8" - 1' (20cm - 30cm) |
Maintenance | Low |
Water Needs | Low, Average |
Soil Type | Chalk, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Dried Arrangements, Cut Flowers, Showy |
Tolerance | Drought, Deer, Rabbit |
Attracts | Bees, Butterflies |
Landscaping Ideas | Beds And Borders |
Garden Styles | Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow |
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Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.
Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.
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