Opium Poppy Red Peony Seeds - Papaver somniferum

The Opium Poppy or Papaver somniferum 'Red Peony' proudly displays large, fully double flowers that are reminiscent of peonies. They bloom in summer, borne on sturdy stems that emerge like a beautiful surprise from an ornamental foliage with beautiful silver-green ripples. This easy to sow and grow variety is superb planted in large groups in the middle of a bed of airier flowers, along walkways or in borders. It will thrive in well-prepared, light, soils in the sun.

The opium poppy 'Red Peony' is a horticultural variety, belonging to the Papaveraceae or poppy family. It is derived from Papaver somniferum var. nigrum, which is found in the mountains of Asia, but also in Europe, on limestone soils where poppies usually grow. This plant, which probably originated in the regions between the Mediterranean and Anatolia, has given rise to a multitude of varieties that have long been cultivated for ornamental purposes.

The plant displays magnificent, undulating, silvery green foliage with beautifully lobed, elliptical leaves with scalloped margins. From its 30 to 45 cm wide clump of foliage, tall stems that reach up to 60 to 90 cm sprout up from June to August, bearing absolutely sumptuous, solitary flowers. They are 10 cm wide, fully double and composed of a multitude of extremely tightly packed petals, the texture of which evokes that of silk whose colour shifts between hints of red and magenta. Summer blooms give way to a characteristic fruit, filled with small very ornamental black seeds which take on a slate blue sheen as it dries. Their aspect changes with the light because of the film of crystallized wax that protects their surfaces. Opium poppies have a taproot that is not very resistant to transplanting, so it is best to sow them in place. They like clay and limestone soils and are quite water-wise.

Comfortable in sophisticated gardens, in medieval-type gardens and gardens without gardeners, opium poppies make it possible to quickly and effortlessly create oceans of infinitely delicate flowers that seem to dance on the silvery foam of their foliage, creating a stirring spectacle of vivid, dark or pastel colours. Although they are not very long-lasting in bouquets, the flowers of the opium poppy 'Red Peony' are extremely charming when planted in large groups in front of tall daisies, amongst thistles and toadflax or surrounded by the moving strands of grasses. This annual plant, like the cosmos, is the solution for occupying the open sunny spaces between annuals or large perennials such as Helianthus, whose flowers will take over later in the season. 

Once the flowering period is over, the fruit remains providing a precious asset for dry bouquets, but also the poppy straw, which is often perceived in more wild areas as a majestic element of the garden or a somewhat enigmatic remnant of summer.