Papaver, Breadseed Poppy, Lettuce Leaf Poppy, Opium Poppy 'Naughty Nineties'

Papaver somniferum

Family
Papaveraceae (pa-pav-er-AY-see-ee)
Genus
Papaver (puh-PAY-ver)
Species
somniferum (som-NEE-fer-um)
Synonym
Sun Exposure
Sun to Partial Shade
Height
24-36 in. (60-90 cm)
Spacing
9-12 in. (22-30 cm)
Hardiness
Not Applicable
Bloom Color
Red
Scarlet (dark red)
Bloom Time
Mid Summer
Other Details
Category
Annuals
Water Requirements
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Foliage Color
Blue-Green
Where to Grow
Bloom Characteristics
This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds
Bloom Size
Other details
Soil pH requirements
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
Patent Information
Propagation Methods
From seed; direct sow outdoors in fall
From seed; winter sow in vented containers, coldframe or unheated greenhouse
From seed; sow indoors before last frost
From seed; direct sow after last frost
Self-sows freely; deadhead if you do not want volunteer seedlings next season
Seed Collecting
Allow pods to dry on plant; break open to collect seeds
Properly cleaned, seed can be successfully stored
Regional

This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:

Wedowee, Alabama

Anchorage, Alaska

Fresno, California

Richmond, California

San Diego, California

San Leandro, California

Essex, Connecticut

Boise, Idaho

Divernon, Illinois

Somerset, Kentucky

The Dalles, Oregon

Anacortes, Washington

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Gardener's Notes:

3
positives
1
neutral
0
negative
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T
Clarkesville, GA | February 2010 | positive

This is THE OPIUM Poppy. I was told it is actually against the law to grow it, but as long as you dont milk it, law enforcement turns it...Read More

J
J
Divernon, IL (Zone 5b) | December 2009 | positive

Prolific self-seeders. Quiet wind-hardy. Quite historic, cause of the Opium Wars between England and China in the 1800's. Nice visual i...Read More

C
C
West Pottsgrove, PA (Zone 6b) | July 2006 | neutral

.

F
San Diego, CA (Zone 10a) | April 2004 | positive

This plant has a gorgeous flower but the foliage is not especially pretty. I planted the seed in fall and now the small plants are 52" an...Read More

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Featured
Helianthus'Chocolat'
(Helianthus annuus)
Common Crow Butterfly
(Euploea core)
Crimson Rosella
(Platycercus elegans)