Poppy - Breadseed Poppy (Papaver Somniferum) Hungarian Breadseed Poppies Jewel Tone Heirloom Flowers

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Poppy -  (Papaver Somniferum) Hungarian Breadseed

Annual

Height 3-4 ft

This is a fantastic statuesque plant that would suit any cottage garden, meadow garden or border. We planted ours in a raised garden bed with foxgloves, field penny-cress and herbs. Absolutely stunning plants - even the unopened flower buds look amazing!

Papaver somniferum, is commonly known as the opium or breadseed poppy, is a species of flowering plant in the family Papaveraceae. It is the species of plant from which both opium and poppy seeds are derived and is also a valuable ornamental plant, grown in gardens.

This is a mix of single and double bowl shaped poppy flowers jewel tone colours ranging from dark pinks/reds to purple. This  variety not only produces incredibly gorgeous flowers but also edible seeds. Seeds contain minute amounts of the alkaloids containing codeine and morphine. Levels are too low for any effects to be felt if you eat them, but they will register on drug tests so refrain from eating them for a week before being tested for drugs for employment or other purposes.

Seeds are widely used on breads, cakes, bagels and in Middle Eastern delicacies.Oil from seeds used for salads, soap, ointments and paints.

  • Direct sow spring, late summer or early fall
  • Sprinkle seeds on top of bare soil; they need light to germinate so don’t cover them. The secret to germination is to provide a period of cold or, you can keep them in your fridge for up to a week. You can sprinkle seeds on top of snow 8 weeks before last frost and the seeds will come into contact with the soil when the snow melts.
  • Seed Harvesting: pods of seeds are ready for harvest after they have turned gray – cut these off and bring the pods inside where they can dry out further. When you can hear the seeds ‘rattle’ inside they are ready to remove from the pod; typically small openings at the top of the pod enable seeds to fall and it reseeds itself however you remove the topmost circle off the pod and pour the seeds into a paper envelope; allow the seeds to dry for a week before storing them in a cool dark place.
  • Attracts bees
  • Seed count: 50