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Papaver somniferum ‘Blue Moon’ (Opium Poppy)

Opium Poppy 'Blue Moon', Papaver 'Blue Moon', Breadseed Poppy 'Blue Moon'

Papaver somniferum 'Blue Moon',  Opium Poppy 'Blue Moon', White Poppy, White Flower, White Papaver, White Opium Poppy

Papaver somniferum ‘Blue Moon’ (Opium Poppy) is an upright annual boasting large, pale lavender to white flowers adorned with blue-purple center brushstrokes at the base of their delicate petals. Blooming for weeks in summer, the ravishing blooms sit on top of sturdy stems clad with deeply-lobed, silvery leaves. They are followed by decorative seed pods that can be used in dried flower arrangements, or left in the garden for the visual interest they bring. Easy to grow, deer resistant, the silky flowers of this Opium Poppy will flatter a wide range of companion plants.

  • Grows up to 2-3 ft. tall (60-90 cm) and 10-12 in. wide (25-30 cm). This plant self sows, maintaining its presence in the garden.
  • Prefers full sun to light shade in any well-drained or moist but well-drained soil. Opium Poppy is drought tolerant.
  • Perfect for beds and borders, gravel gardens, cottage gardens or prairies and meadows.
  • Opium Poppy attracts bees and butterflies.
  • No serious pest or disease issues. Keep an eye out for aphids and downy mildews.
  • Deadhead spent flowers if seeding is not desired.
  • Propagate by seed in situ during spring.
  • Harmful if eaten. This poppy is toxic to humans, cats and dogs. Deer are smart enough to avoid this plant.
  • Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling.
  • Papaver somniferum is probably native to the eastern Mediterranean, but has now naturalized across much of Europe and Asia.

Requirements

Hardiness 3 - 8
Heat Zones 1 - 8
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
Plant Family Papaveraceae
Genus Papaver
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Height 2' - 3'
(60cm - 90cm)
Spread 10" - 1'
(30cm - 30cm)
Spacing 12" (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
Attracts Bees, Butterflies
Garden Uses Beds And Borders
Garden Styles Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow
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Alternative Plants to Consider

Papaver somniferum 'Schwarzer Drachen',  Opium Poppy 'Schwarzer Drachen', Opium Poppy 'Schwarzer Drachen', Opium Poppy 'Black Dragon', Opium Poppy 'Black Dragon', Black Poppy, Black Flower, Black Papaver, Black Opium Poppy
Papaver bracteatum , Great Scarlet Poppy, Great Scarlet Poppy, Iranian Poppy, Persian Poppy, Red flowers, Red Poppy, Red Poppies
Papaver somniferum 'Drama Queen',  Opium Poppy 'Drama Queen', Papaver 'Drama Queen', Breadseed Poppy 'Drama Queen', Red Flower, Red Papaver, Red Opium Poppy
Papaver somniferum 'Black Paeony',  Opium Poppy 'Black Paeony', Opium Poppy 'Black Peony', Black Poppy, Black Flower, Black Papaver, Black Opium Poppy
Papaver somniferum 'Candy Floss',  Opium Poppy 'Candy Floss', Pink Poppy, Pink Flower, Pink Papaver, Pink Opium Poppy
Papaver somniferum 'Black Swan',  Opium Poppy 'Black Swan', Papaver 'Black Swan', Breadseed Poppy 'Black Swan', Black Flower, Black Papaver, Black Opium Poppy

Recommended Companion Plants

Iris 'Venita Faye', Tall Bearded Iris 'Venita Faye', Iris Germanica 'Venita Faye', Mid Late Season Irises, Pink irises, Award Irises, Bicolor Irises, Lilac Irises, Lavender IrisesAward General
Thalictrum Aquilegifolium, Thalictrum aquilegiifolium, Meadow Rue, Rue, French Meadow Rue, Columbine Meadow Rue, Feathered Columbine, Spanish Tuft, Tufted Columbine, lavender flowers, purple flowers,perennial, perennial plant, perennials
Salvia Nemorosa Ostfriesland, Salvia Ostfriesland, Sage Ostfriesland, award-winning salvia, Balkan Clary Ostfriesland, Steppe sage OstfrieslandAGM Award
Lupinus 'The Governor', Lupine 'The Governor', Lupin 'The Governor', Band of Noble Series, Russel Hybrids, Bicolor flowers, Blue flowersAGM Award
Alchemilla Mollis, Lady's mantle, AGM perennial, deer tolerant plants, rabbits tolerant plants, award winning perennialAGM Award
Allium Hollandicum 'Purple Sensation' , Allium 'Purple Sensation', Allium Aflatunense 'Purple Sensation', Flowering Onion, Ornamental Onion, Allium Hollandicum, Spring Bulbs, Spring FlowersAGM Award
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
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Requirements

Hardiness 3 - 8
Heat Zones 1 - 8
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
Plant Family Papaveraceae
Genus Papaver
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Height 2' - 3'
(60cm - 90cm)
Spread 10" - 1'
(30cm - 30cm)
Spacing 12" (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
Attracts Bees, Butterflies
Garden Uses Beds And Borders
Garden Styles Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow
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Do I Need?
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