Poppy Plant Description
The genus Papavar contains hundreds of species of poppies, most of which are beautiful and easy to grow. Other genera contain plants called poppies, such as the California native Matilija poppy, which belongs to the Romneya genus. Poppies are either single or double flowers that are held above their foliage on tall stems. The plants' heights vary, from low-growing border plants to tall background specimens, which can grow up to 4 feet tall. Both annual and perennial forms exist. Because of their abundant and season-long blooms, poppies are favorite choices for home landscapes. Many varieties also set seed readily and reseed themselves, making it unnecessary for you to replant them the following spring. You could wind up with more poppies than you know what to do with and you might need to weed some out, if they grow successfully in your environment. Does this Spark an idea?
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History and Location
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Many varieties of poppy have been grown since ancient times and have been used for their beauty, in recipes and for medicine. Poppies are mentioned in mythology and appear in works of art and literature and are a highly symbolic flower. For example, the red Flanders poppy is a symbol of country life and the abundance of summer harvests. Other poppies symbolize fertility, and the opium poppy has often been used to symbolize death.
Different poppies are native to a wide range of locations, from California to Greece to the arctic regions of North America, Europe and Asia. If you grow a poppy that is native to your area, you will find that it is a low-maintenance, attractive, natural addition to your landscaping.
Varieties
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Many native species of poppies exist, from the orange California poppy to the red Flanders poppies that cover hills and meadows of France and other parts of Europe in the summer months.
The more common and popular poppies are available at nurseries. Poppies make attractive cut flowers and range in color from white to pink to salmon to red to purple and some multihued varieties. The seeds of many different and more unusual varieties are available in seed catalogs and online. These include the Shirley poppy, corn red or Flanders, Iceland, apricota, black peony, Hungarian blue and Oriental scarlet poppies. -
Poppies in Your Garden
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Cultivated poppies, such as Iceland poppies, are available as bedding plants at nurseries and are popular plants for the garden. Shorter varieties of poppies are effective when you plant them in the front of garden beds; plant taller varieties toward the rear of beds. Their vibrant colors and natural, old-fashioned appearance make poppies a winner in any yard. To encourage more blooms and keep your poppies looking tidy, cut off spent flowers when they begin dropping their petals.
Caring for Poppies
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If you plant poppies that are native to your area, they are carefree additions to your garden because they require no fertilizer or water, other than what nature brings in the form of rain.
You can plant poppy seeds in the fall or spring. Poppy plants do not respond well to transplanting, so scatter seeds lightly in the garden area where you want them to grow. Press seeds into the ground but do not cover them with soil. Water gently and keep the area moist, if it doesn't rain. Thin your young plants to eight to 10 inches apart and enjoy their colorful flowers all summer long.
Some poppies are more difficult to start from seed: one example is the California native Matilija poppy (Romneya coulteri)---experts report that you must lay pine needles on top of the soil in which these seeds are planted and then set fire to the needles to cause germination later in the season.
Culinary Uses
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Poppy seed breads, bagels, cakes and salad dressings are good-tasting treats that include poppy seeds. You can buy poppy seeds ready to use in these and other recipes at natural foods stores, or collect your own from Papavar somniferum, or opium poppy. However, do not use any part of the opium poppy except the seeds.
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References
Resources
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