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Common Poppy organic seeds - Papaver rhoeas

Papaver rhoeas
Common poppy, Corn poppy, Field poppy

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This annual plant, once common in the countryside, blooms in summer with its scarlet and crumpled petals, emerging from neglected soils to offer a dazzling surprise. This remarkably simple flower is perfect for easily creating a memorable landscape. It is ideal for new gardens and essential in wild gardens, thanks to its ability to self-sow. It thrives in full sun and tolerates poor, heavy, chalky, and degraded soil, with successful sowing every time.
Flower size
5 cm
Height at maturity
60 cm
Exposure
Sun
Germination time (days)
18 days
Sowing method
Direct sowing
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Sowing period February to April
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F
M
A
M
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A
S
O
N
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Flowering time June to August
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Description

The organic Red Poppy or Papaver rhoeas is the famous corn poppy or field poppy, once very common in our countryside. This annual plant unfolds its crumpled bright red corollas in summer. Perfect in brand new gardens for its pioneering ability to reclaim degraded lands, it is essential in natural areas. These plants are undemanding, poppies grow and self-seed quietly in the sun. They tolerate poor soil, even heavy, limestone, and degraded soil. Sow in place.

Papaver rhoeas or corn poppy, also known as field poppy, or common poppy, is an annual plant of the papaveraceae family originating from Asia Minor. Growing rapidly, it reaches 60 cm in height when in flower and 30 cm wide in a season. Despite its delicate appearance, like its thin, rough, and little branched stems, this plant forms a tuft of alternate, narrow, and toothed lobed leaves, whose full power is revealed when it inevitably emerges from freshly disturbed soils, from sometimes very old seeds. When the stem is broken, it releases a white milky juice. The summer flowering extends from June to August, depending on the climate and sowing date. The open cup flowers have four silky, slightly crumpled petals, in striking deep red or scarlet. The centre has numerous stamens with blue-black anthers. The flowers are followed by capsules containing a large number of seeds that the wind will disperse.

The Red Organic Poppy works well in wild gardens, cottage gardens and neglected gardens, allowing you to quickly and effortlessly create oceans of simple, emotionally moving watercolour flowers, in perfect harmony with the summer light. While not very long-lasting when cut, poppy flowers have a charming allure when they accompany garden irises, large daisies, big peonies or the swaying foliage of grasses in flower beds. This annual plant, like cosmos and love-in-a-mist, is unmatched in occupying embankments around new constructions, empty spaces between annuals or large perennials with later flowering such as daylilies that take over, in full sun. If you still want to make bouquets with its flowers, you will need to cauterize the stems where they were cut, thus preventing the flowers from wilting during the day.

Make the most of these organic seeds to appreciate the edible qualities of the poppy: use its slightly sweet petals in salads or desserts. Dried, they can be added to herbal tea blends.

 

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Poppies and annual poppies: sowing, growing and care
Family sheet
by Viviane 12 min.
Poppies and annual poppies: sowing, growing and care
Read article

Flowering

Flower colour red
Flowering time June to August
Inflorescence Solitary
Flower size 5 cm
Bee-friendly Attracts pollinators

Foliage

Foliage persistence Annual
Foliage colour dark green

Plant habit

Height at maturity 60 cm
Spread at maturity 30 cm
Growth rate very fast

Botanical data

Genus

Papaver

Species

rhoeas

Family

Papaveraceae

Other common names

Common poppy, Corn poppy, Field poppy

Origin

West Asia

Product reference • 22817

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Planting and care

Sow the seeds of the common poppy directly in place outdoors in spring. Choose a sunny spot on soil that has been well loosened beforehand. Sow the fine seeds just below the soil surface, mixing them with sand or fine compost to sow less densely. Water regularly, especially during dry periods. Germination generally takes 18 to 22 days.

When the young poppy plants are sufficiently developed to be handled, thin out to 30 cm apart. They should not lack water or nutrients in summer, at flowering time. These plants readily self-seed in the garden. Remove faded flowers if you wish to avoid this.

Although they prefer clayey and chalky soils, poppies are undemanding plants that adapt to most well-worked soils. Their seeds retain their viability for a long time, and it is not uncommon to see seedlings reappear years after a 'failed' sowing, following soil digging.

Important note: all poppies are toxic. However, the seeds produced by the species P. somniferum and P. paeoniflorum can be consumed. Generally, the seeds are used in bakery recipes (breads, brioches...)

Sowing period

Sowing period February to April
Sowing method Direct sowing
Germination time (days) 18 days

Intended location

Suitable for Meadow, Rockery
Type of use Border, Slope
Ease of cultivation Beginner
Exposure Sun
Soil pH Any
Soil moisture Moist soil, Well-worked, deep, ordinary

Planting & care advice

  1. How to sow poppies (Papaver rhoeas) Quick overview - Best time to sow: autumn (Sept–Nov) for naturalised displays; early spring possible if ground not frozen. - Position: full sun, well‑drained soil; tolerates poor to moderately fertile soil. - Sowing method: direct sow outdoors — seeds are tiny and must not be buried. Step‑by‑step 1. Prepare seedbed - Clear weeds and break up large clods. Rake surface to a fine tilth and firm lightly so soil is level. 2. Mix seeds for even sowing - Mix seeds with a little dry sand to help distribute them evenly. 3. Sow - Scatter seeds thinly over surface. Do not cover or cover only with a dusting of fine soil (0–2 mm). Poppy seeds need light to germinate. - Aim to thin to about 10–15 cm between plants once established. 4. Watering after sowing - Water gently to settle seeds if soil is dry. Keep surface moist until seedlings emerge, then reduce frequency. Poppies dislike waterlogged conditions. 5. Germination and growth - Germination usually in 7–21 days at 10–18°C; autumn sown seed will usually germinate the following spring after winter chilling. 6. Thinning and care - Thin seedlings to final spacing to avoid overcrowding. Avoid high nitrogen feeds; a light, balanced feed only if soil is very poor. - Deadhead spent flowers to prolong flowering, or leave seedheads if you want self‑sown volunteers next year. 7. Avoid transplanting - Most annual poppies resent root disturbance; direct sowing gives best results. For perennial species (eg Papaver orientale), sow under cover and transplant when large enough. Sowing rate and timing - Tiny seeds: a pinch or 0.5–1 g per m² is usually sufficient for a good display. For drifts, sow more densely and then thin. - Flowering: often in late spring to summer after spring sowing; autumn sown plants often flower earlier in first summer. Problems and tips - Poppies thrive in lean, well‑drained soil — avoid rich, manured ground which promotes foliage at expense of flowers. - Slugs can attack young seedlings; protect if needed. - Sow in drifts rather than rows for a natural look. Combine with cornflower, chamomile or alliums for attractive wildflower-style borders. If you want, tell me which poppy species you plan to sow (common poppy, oriental poppy, opium poppy, etc.) and whether you prefer a meadow or border planting — I can give tailored instructions. Tips

    How to sow poppies (Papaver rhoeas) Quick overview - Best time to sow: autumn (Sept–Nov) for naturalised displays; early spring possible if ground not frozen. - Position: full sun, well‑drained soil; tolerates poor to moderately fertile soil. - Sowing method: direct sow outdoors — seeds are tiny and must not be buried. Step‑by‑step 1. Prepare seedbed - Clear weeds and break up large clods. Rake surface to a fine tilth and firm lightly so soil is level. 2. Mix seeds for even sowing - Mix seeds with a little dry sand to help distribute them evenly. 3. Sow - Scatter seeds thinly over surface. Do not cover or cover only with a dusting of fine soil (0–2 mm). Poppy seeds need light to germinate. - Aim to thin to about 10–15 cm between plants once established. 4. Watering after sowing - Water gently to settle seeds if soil is dry. Keep surface moist until seedlings emerge, then reduce frequency. Poppies dislike waterlogged conditions. 5. Germination and growth - Germination usually in 7–21 days at 10–18°C; autumn sown seed will usually germinate the following spring after winter chilling. 6. Thinning and care - Thin seedlings to final spacing to avoid overcrowding. Avoid high nitrogen feeds; a light, balanced feed only if soil is very poor. - Deadhead spent flowers to prolong flowering, or leave seedheads if you want self‑sown volunteers next year. 7. Avoid transplanting - Most annual poppies resent root disturbance; direct sowing gives best results. For perennial species (eg Papaver orientale), sow under cover and transplant when large enough. Sowing rate and timing - Tiny seeds: a pinch or 0.5–1 g per m² is usually sufficient for a good display. For drifts, sow more densely and then thin. - Flowering: often in late spring to summer after spring sowing; autumn sown plants often flower earlier in first summer. Problems and tips - Poppies thrive in lean, well‑drained soil — avoid rich, manured ground which promotes foliage at expense of flowers. - Slugs can attack young seedlings; protect if needed. - Sow in drifts rather than rows for a natural look. Combine with cornflower, chamomile or alliums for attractive wildflower-style borders. If you want, tell me which poppy species you plan to sow (common poppy, oriental poppy, opium poppy, etc.) and whether you prefer a meadow or border planting — I can give tailored instructions.

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