Poppy
Poppies fit everywhere
Poppies grew wild in Europe, Asia and North America for a very long time. In Greek mythology, it symbolised the harvest goddess Demeter. Because the poppy survived in areas torn apart by war, its red bloom has come to represent life and remembrance.
Today, there is an incredible variety of poppies. Colour and shape can differ so much that sometimes you hardly believe they are the same plant. The single-flowering corn poppy, the fluffy peony poppy and the perennial giant poppy are some gems we wouldn’t want to be without.
Poppies fit everywhere. The wilder varieties are self-written in a bed with a meadow feel. The lower varieties are perfect border plants and can also be grown in pots.
Annual and perennial poppies
- Perennial / perennial poppies are pre-cultivated indoors. It then flowers the year after sowing. Perennial poppies have a shorter flowering time than the annual. However, the foliage, buds and seed pods make the perennial poppy a beautiful plant even when it is not in flower.
- Annual / perennial poppies are usually direct sown outdoors in spring. It is also possible to sow annual poppies in autumn. The plants will then come up early the following year. If you have room for pots indoors and want extra early flowering, you can also choose to pre-cultivate annual poppies.
Direct sow poppies outdoors
Sow poppies outdoors in March-May depending on the growing zone. The seeds will not germinate if it is too hot.
Choose a sunny spot with nutrient-rich soil and it will thrive. The seeds are light-growing, so it is enough to lightly mulch them in the land. Keep moist during the germination period. Thin to a distance of 15-30 cm depending on the variety.
Guard the seedlings from slugs. Once the poppies have grown, they will have greater natural resistance to slugs.
Pre-cultivate poppies indoors
Pre-cultivate poppies indoors in Feb-March. The seeds are light-growing and should not be covered with soil. Keep moist during germination. We find it convenient to use a spray bottle with room temperature water. As poppies grow best in slightly cooler temperatures, it can be helpful to put the growing tray in the fridge or other cool place for a couple of days.
Self-seeding poppies
The poppy is one of many summer flowers that, when it thrives, seeds itself year after year. We like the feeling of a potager and like to let it bloom here and there in the vegetable garden together with marigold, cucumber herb and honey phacelia. Then the pollinators come flying and the crops get a boost. But poppies have delicate roots. If self-sown plants are to be moved, it is best to take care when they are really small.
Fertilise poppies for abundant flowering
Poppies are easy to grow and can cope with both cold and drought. But it needs nourishment to become vigorous and abundantly flowering. Grow poppies in well-fertilised soil and water with fertiliser every two weeks.
Add grass clippings or other organic material between the plants. This will keep moisture in the soil, smother the weeds and provide extra nutrition as they decompose.
Seed pods and perennials
Poppies flower from June/July onwards. It’s one of the brave heroes of late autumn – those summer flowers that can withstand a bit of cold and continue to brighten up the garden even though frost is knocking at the door.
Poppies are toxic to humans. Only the seeds of the opium poppy (Papaver somniferum) are edible. The flower crosses easily with other varieties of poppy. Therefore, it is important that the poppy whose seeds are to be eaten grows on its own, so that it stays varietally pure.
Poppy seed pods have a cool and decorative shape. They are nice on their own in a vase. Or in a winter bouquet together with other eternelles.
Author: Johanna Damm
Fact-checked by Erik Hoekstra
Last updated 2022-10-14