Peony Poppy Seeds Canada? The 80 Top Answers

How to grow poppies

aspect

Choose a warm, sunny spot with shelter from strong winds.

floor

These flowers grow best in loose, well-drained soil. For best results, prepare the bed well a few weeks before planting by enriching it with plenty of well-rotted manure or compost and digging it in well.

Getty

Plant

You can sow poppy seeds directly in a garden bed or grow them in pots or baskets. Sow the seeds thinly and cover with a light sprinkling of the seed growing mix. Water with a fine mist and keep the surface moist until seedlings emerge in 10-14 days. Transplant when the seedlings are a few inches tall, leaving about 20-30cm between plants. Water regularly and mulch lightly with compost to keep them off the stems.

water

While you’re waiting for the seedlings to emerge, make sure the soil isn’t drying out, but it’s not wet either – just mist it with a fine spray of water. Continue watering by gentle spraying until plants are established.

fertilizer

When buds start to appear, feed with a soluble fertilizer like Yates Thrive Soluble Flower & Fruit. Continue to feed regularly at two-week intervals.

Getty

maintenance

For best results, try pinching off early buds until plants have formed good clumps. Pick flowers for indoor decoration regularly as this will also help prolong flowering – what a bonus!

You may also like

10 of the best spring flowers

How to grow wattle

How to grow ranunculus

Their summer flowers may be fleeting, but they make a wonderful addition to the garden in May and June.

Poppy is the common name for plants in the Papaveraceae family. Within this group there are annual, perennial and biennial plants. These include oriental poppies, field poppies, Welsh poppies and Himalayan poppies.

Large-flowered oriental poppies are the most popular poppies. They have hairy flower stalks and leaves. Petals can be ruffled, ruffled, or shaggy, and range in color from white to pink, purple, and red. They can be about 15 cm in diameter.

Other popular poppies include the field poppy, Papaver rhoeas, and the opium poppy, Papaver somniferum. For those looking for a challenge, try growing Himalayan blue poppy, Meconopsis betonicfolia.

How to grow poppies

Most poppies thrive in moist but well-drained soil in full sun. Field poppies and opium tolerate drier, poorer soils than oriental poppies, while Himalayan poppies do best in moist, slightly acidic soil in partial shade. In most species, the dead head consumed flowers to prolong flowering. Most poppies come true when propagated by seed, but oriental poppies should be propagated from root cuttings.

Growing Poppies: Jump Links

Do you want to transplant poppies? Watch our quick tips video with David Hurrion to learn how:

More on poppy cultivation:

Learn more about growing poppies in our grow guide below.

Where to grow poppies

Poppies grow in most soils, but for best results grow in full sun in well-drained soil. They thrive in alkaline, acidic, or neutral soil.

The larger, perennial oriental poppies are perfect for growing in a border, ideally in the front or centre. They bloom in May and June and when the flowers have faded, the foliage dies off as well. The foliage will get a second life in August. Plant them alongside low-growing perennials like hardy geraniums, filling the gap in July when the foliage dies back.

Annual poppies are often planted as part of a wildflower mix. When planting a wildflower bed, choose an open, sunny location. The seeds should be sown in well prepared soil and steps taken to keep the birds away while the seeds germinate.

Himalayan poppies do best in partial shade in moist soil.

Purple poppies do best in light shade. In full sun, their flower color may fade. Papaver ‘Patty’s Plum’ is an example of a poppy that retains its color better when not in direct sunlight.

Poppies are rarely planted in containers and do much better in the garden.

How to plant poppies

Spring is the perfect time to plant oriental and Himalayan poppies. Dig a planting hole and add some well-rotted organic matter. Remove the plant from its pot and place it in the hole at the same depth as in the pot. Fill the hole and fix it. Spring.

Annual and biennial poppies are usually grown from seed. Annual poppies should be sown directly into well-prepared soil. Sow where you want them to bloom in spring, early summer or fall. Prepare the soil by removing weeds and raking the soil. Pour the soil with a fine stream of water and then scatter the seeds. There is no need to cover it.

cultivate poppies

Annual poppies are easy to care for. There’s no need to stake or stake the plants – just let them bloom and seed as part of a wildflower display. Once the flowers have withered and seeds have been released, pull out the parent plants and place them on the compost heap. It’s a good idea to shake the plants over the area before removing to loosen any stubborn seeds.

Oriental poppies hold their large flowers on very hairy stems. You may need support to keep them upright – place this over the pile of leaves before the flower stalks appear. A poppy bloom lasts about 10 days, but the plants will have a second bloom if pruned back. It’s a good idea to prevent oriental poppies from setting seed, as this reduces the amount of energy the plant needs to produce more buds.

Himalayan poppies also require staking and dead planting.

Prune plants back to the ground in fall and mulch with compost, leaf soil, or bark chips in fall or spring.

propagation of poppies

Poppy seeds can remain in the ground for decades. If the soil is cultivated and the seeds are brought to the surface, they will germinate after being dormant in the soil for years. Avoid harvesting dead annual poppies after flowering so they can set seed.

In this handy video from Gardeners’ World, Monty Don shows you how to collect opium poppy (Papaver somniferum) seeds, with storage tips:

Find out how to sort your own opium poppies in Monty’s video from the Jewel Garden in Longmeadow:

Most oriental poppies are hybrids, meaning they will not grow from seed. It is therefore best to propagate oriental poppies with root cuttings in autumn or winter. Gently lift an adult plant and cut off part of the root the thickness of a pencil. Do not remove more than a third of the parent’s roots. Cut the root into 4 cm long pieces and place them vertically in a pot with cutting soil, thickest end up. Cover the pot with a thin layer of sand and water. Place the pots in a cold frame and wait for small plants to form before potting them.

Growing poppies: problem solving

Poppies rarely suffer from pests or diseases. However, oriental species can be repelled by powdery mildew. This is a fungal disease that affects the whole plant. Leaves and stems are covered with a white powdery mildew in spring or summer. In very bad cases, cut the plant back to ground level and remove fallen leaves to prevent the fungal disease from overwintering in the soil.

Opium poppies can self-seed in the garden too easily and become a nuisance. If opium poppies outgrow its space, make sure you kill spent flowers to prevent the plants from setting seed.

Tips for buying poppies Different types of poppies come in different forms – oriental poppies only exist as plants, while field and opium poppies can be grown from seed

Make sure you’re growing the right type of poppy for your space

When purchasing poppy plants, inspect the plant to make sure it is healthy and shows no signs of pests before planting

suttons

you garden

crocus

Great poppies to grow

Papaver orientale ‘Perry’s White’

Hardy perennial. Large and floral, with pure white flowers with a black spot at the base of each petal. Blooms in May and June. Height 90 cm.

Papaver orientale ‘Turkenlouis’

Hardy perennial with large orange-red flowers in May and June. Height 90 cm

Field poppy, Papaver rhoeas

Annual poppy with soft red flowers in June or July. The common poppy is the symbol of remembrance. Seeds can remain dormant in the ground for decades. Height 50cm.

Icelandic poppy, papaver nudicaule

A hardy biannual poppy with a mix of yellow, orange and red flowers from June to August. Also known as Icelandic poppy. Height 50cm.

Ladybird poppy, Papaver commutatum

Hardy annual plant with delicate red flowers with a black spot at the base of each petal. Blooms from June to August. Height 50cm.

Poppies are one of the most beautiful flowers to grow in a garden. They come in bright reds and warm orange tones, and will make informal splashes of color in your late spring garden. Most poppies also self-seed a bit so that once established, they’ll be happily in the garden.

Poppies do best when grown from seeds planted in the fall or winter, even in cold winter areas. Seeds must go through the natural freeze and thaw cycles in order to germinate, and this is achieved by sowing in the fall. They can also be sown in early spring, about a month before your last frost date. If your soil is easily disturbed, try winter sowing: put some potting soil in the bottom of a small container and sow the seeds. Then put the container outside in January or February. The containers prevent the seed from being washed away or disturbed by animals.

To seed directly into the garden, prepare the area where you want your seeds to grow by raking the area smooth and removing any stones. In the fall, after the soil has cooled, sprinkle the seeds on the ground. Cover lightly and mark the area. When the snow melts and the ground is warmed by a spring sun, the seeds germinate and begin to grow.

Although poppies are easy to grow in the garden, they do need a sunny, sheltered spot. The flower stalks are quite fragile and can be damaged by spring storms and heavy rain. Protecting a shrub, wall, or support ring will help protect them from such damage. Varieties that only grow to about 2 feet tall, like some heirlooms and compact poppies, are less susceptible to environmental damage than the taller varieties.

500 seeds

Build a garden full of black peony poppy plants from freshly harvested Papaver paeoniflorum seeds. Black peony poppies are attractive flowering plants that reach an average height of about 24 to 32 inches. Her double-petaled flowers are ruffled with a deep purple hue and measure up to 4 inches across. Black peony poppies bloom for a few short weeks and later wither in the summer heat, revealing their large poppy pods.

Cultivated as an annual flowering plant, the black peony poppy grows quickly from freshly harvested flower seeds, flowering in late spring to early summer and later wilting as winter sets in. The dried seed pods can be cut for use in floral arrangements and bouquets. Seeds can also fall to the bare soil below and form new plants in the following growing season.

Black peony poppies can be established by the masses right in the garden, in flower beds, along driveways, sidewalks and fences, or even in a naturalized setting. These beautiful blooms glisten in the sunlight and can attract a range of beneficial insects to the garden, such as butterflies, bumblebees, ladybugs and even hummingbirds.

Fast Facts

Type: flower

Color: Black / Dark Burgundy

Height: 24″ to 32″ tall

“To 32″ Tall Width: 8″ to 12” Spread

Season: Annual

Zones: 3 to 8

Environment: Full sun (cool regions) / partial shade (warm regions)

Sow the seed

Papaver paeoniflorum seeds do best with a stratification period, 4 weeks before sowing. Black peony poppies are also best sown directly outdoors when the weather is warm and there is no longer any danger of frost. The root system of these popular flowers is quite weak until they reach maturity, so transplanting is out of the question. Remove any unwanted plants from your seeding area, turn the soil over or replace with fresh soil. Scatter the seeds onto the surface of the soil on a calm day, making sure no strong wind can blow the tiny seeds away. Don’t cover your poppy seeds as they need light to germinate properly. Pat down the soil to hold the seeds in place.

growing conditions

Peony poppies enjoy an area of ​​full sunlight in cool regions and partial shade in warmer regions. They thrive in temperatures around 70F and don’t like the heat of summer. Soil should be well drained and can be medium to rich, although it prefers sandy soil most. Areas comprised of hard, compact soil hold too much moisture, so mixing in a light compost is recommended for improved drainage. Water daily on a mist setting so the seeds receive an adequate amount of moisture without drowning or washing away the seeds.

germination & growth

Your peony poppy seeds will begin to germinate within about 7 to 21 days after sowing. Plants will reach a mature height of 24 to 36 inches and can be spaced about 6 inches apart. Peony poppy plants are best established by crowd. Sowing a large quantity of seeds in a small area will result in a beautiful sea of ​​deep purple hued buds. Allow the seed pods to dry out in late summer/early fall to produce new plants the following season, from seeds that fall to the bare soil below.

The two main types of peonies are herbaceous plants that die back each fall, and tree peonies that grow like small shrubs with woody stems that don’t die back in the fall. The herbaceous type grows up to a few feet tall, while tree peonies can reach over 6 feet. The Itoh peony is a hybrid of perennial and tree peonies, named after the Japanese breeder Toichi Itoh, who managed to cross the two, with his first plants flowering mauve in 1964, while tree peonies and Itoh peonies have deep yellow flowers. The flowers can reach over 8 inches in diameter.

seed poppy in the garden

summary

Poppy (Papever somniferum) is a 2 to 3 foot tall hardy annual grown for its seeds used for culinary purposes. Poppies grow best in full sun and require well-drained, fertile soil. In spring, sow the seeds in rows 12 to 24 inches apart and cover with 1/8 inch of soil. The seedbed should remain moist until the plants emerge, which takes 7 to 28 days depending on soil temperature. Thin before plants are 6 inches tall with a final row spacing of 6 to 8 inches. Water sparingly and fertilize lightly until plants are fully mature and starting to produce buds. Control insects and diseases during plant establishment before flowering begins to maximize seed production. Flowering begins in late spring to early summer, followed by seedpod maturation in mid to late summer (80–90 days after planting). Harvest in dry weather when the seeds in the pod start to rattle. Because seed poppies prefer warm, dry environments, many cultivars are suited to Utah.

Recommended Varieties

*Strain DESCRIPTION Bread Seed Poppy Smooth grey-serrated leaves, pink, purple and red flowers and large seed heads. Elka Poppy Large Seed Heads; Seeds are sweet, nutty, white, and have 50% more oil content Heirloom Pepperbox Grey-green plants; violet, red and pale purple flowers; dark, nutty tasting seeds. Hungarian Bread Seed Eastern European Heirloom; white to pale lavender flowers; blue-black seeds. Ziar Poppy Pale lavender petals, dark red center; sweet seeds and large seed heads.

* Buy seeds from a reputable dealer. Varieties often not available locally.

how do i breed

Location & soil type

Seed poppies require full sun and thrive in a dry, warm climate. It grows well in most Utah soils provided they are fertile, fine textured and friable.

soil preparation

Poppies prefer a location in the garden that receives full sun and fertile soil. The soil should be prepared in the fall to allow for early spring planting. Before planting, determine fertilizer needs with a soil test, and then follow the report’s recommendations. If fertilizer applications are warranted, incorporate the fertilizer into the top 6 inches of soil. When applying compost, use no more than 1 inch of well-composted organic matter per 100 square feet of garden area.

seed cultivation

Poppy seeds are extremely small (over 100,000 seeds per ounce). Seeds should be sown sparingly in shallow furrows or surface spreading. To prevent overseeding, mix the seeds with fine sand and sprinkled mixture. Poppies need light to germinate. Cover the seed with no more than 1/8 inch of soil. Seeds also germinated better when exposed to freeze and thaw conditions; So sow the seeds either in late autumn or very early spring. Plant growth and development is slow and seed maturity takes up to 5 months, so early sowing is essential. Seeds are slow to germinate, taking 4 weeks in cool weather and 2 weeks in warmer weather to emerge.

plant cultivation

Seedlings are hardy and plants produce larger flowers and seed heads when grown in cool weather. Several weeks after seedlings are established but before seedlings are 6 inches tall, thin plants 4 or 6 inches apart. Thinning can be avoided by using transplants instead of no-till; However, poppies do not transplant well. If grafts are used, germinate and grow plants at 60°F. Grow seedlings for 4-6 weeks and plant out around the last frost date for the area. Transplant carefully to minimize damage to roots when planting.

water

After sowing or transplanting, keep the seedbed moist until seedlings emerge or transplants are performed. Various irrigation methods can be used as long as the seeds are not washed away before they germinate and become established. After the last thinning, the water requirement is about an inch per week, depending on the weather conditions.

fertilizer

In addition to fertilizers applied during soil preparation, seed yield increases when plants are fertilized with additional nitrogen. Sidedress poppies with 1-2 tablespoons of 21-0-0 per 10 foot row after thinning and before flowering to maintain vigorous growth.

Pest and Disease Management

Poppies are easy to grow and have few insect or disease problems. A good seed crop is not difficult to achieve under favorable conditions.

Black bean aphids can attack poppy buds just before flowering. Use insecticidal soap or a strong jet of water to remove aphids from plants. Snails and snails can attack seedlings or newly emerging shoots in humid conditions in early spring. Traps and baits are very effective in controlling these pests.

Fungal diseases such as downy and powdery mildew can kill young seedlings or cause stunted growth. Capsule infection causes large, velvety black spots to form on green seed pods. By the time symptoms are noticed, irreversible damage has already been done. Avoid moist or wet conditions (overhead watering) which favor disease development. Viral diseases can affect poppies and are often transmitted by aphids. Most plant diseases can be prevented with proper plant spacing, careful watering practices, and proper aeration.

Poppies do not compete well with weeds, especially during establishment. Cultivate shallowly to avoid root damage and use organic mulch (leaves, grass clippings) after planting to control weeds.

harvest and storage

harvest

Seed harvest should be done in dry weather, after the seed pods have become leathery and the seeds rattle in the pods. If wet weather hits before the seeds are completely dry, harvest and finish the drying process in a dry, airy place. To harvest, walk along the rows, turn over the seed pods and shake the ripe seeds into a bag or bucket. Repeat this every six or eight days until the entire crop is fully harvested. No further processing is required.

productivity

Each plant can produce thousands of seeds depending on the number of pods produced per plant. With good care, a 10 foot row should produce 4-5 ounces of seed.

storage

Harvested seeds retain their flavor and quality for culinary use for quite a while; however, seed viability is rapidly lost. Store seeds in a cool, dry and dark place. Seeds intended for re-sowing should not be stored for more than one year.

Post-harvest care

In most Utah locations, poppies flower only once and the plants do not overwinter. Plow plants into the ground after harvest or add plant residue to the compost heap.

frequently asked Questions

Is it illegal to grow poppies in the US? Seed poppies can be grown legally for gardening and seed production purposes; However, it is illegal to make opium from the poppies.

Can several poppy varieties be grown at the same time? If you grow more than two varieties and want to save seeds for replanting, the plants should flower at different times or the flowers should be protected from crossing. Since poppies are mutually pollinating, separate different cultivars at least 250 feet. Otherwise, hand-pollinate a few flowers, then pack or cover the flowers to prevent crossbreeding.

Sources

Grey-Wilson, C. 1993. “Pests and Diseases.” In Poppies: A Guide to the Poppy Family in the Wild and in Cultivation. Portland, OR. wooden press. pp. 21-22.

Kapoor, L.D. 1995. “Agricultural Studies”. In opium poppies: botany, chemistry and pharmacology. New York: Foodstuffs. pp. 65-88. UC IPM. 2008. “Management of Pests in Gardens: Poppies.”

UC Statewide Integrated Pest Management Program. The Regents of the University of California. Accessed 2011-Sep-22. http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/GARDEN/FLOWERS/poppy.html

Washington State University. “Culinary Poppy.” Vegetable Research and Extension Center. Accessed 30 Sep 2011. http://agsyst.wsu.edu/culinarypoppy.html

authors

Kevin Cope and Dan Drost

Step 6: Harvest poppies

Harvesting begins when the petals sprout and then lasts about five days. Once the petals fall off, the only remaining part of the poppy is the stalk and the black seed coat at the end. Once these pods get fat, they start to pop open. This is when you cut them down to harvest them. You can save the largest seeds for transplanting and keep the other seeds for cooking. The seeds can be added to butter, muffins, salads, sauces and cakes.

This is one of Bassem Samaan Wednesday’s Jordanian fig plants. ///// BETHLEHEM DONNA FISHER/THE MORNING CALL SEE STONEBACK STORY PICTURE DATED WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 5, 2012 (DONNA FISHER / THE MORNING CALL)

Q: Thanks for answering my tomato questions. What is the best way to plant poppies and peas indoors to plant them outside? I tried last year and had a hard time. I love poppy seeds and sweet peas. And what is the best way to grow fig tree cuttings well? Thanks for your help. I hate winter and can’t wait for spring!

– Irene

advertisement

A: The first consideration is what type of poppies Irene is trying to grow. There are annual and perennial poppies.

Oriental poppies (Papaver orientale) are perennials. Opium poppies (P. somniferum), Flanders or field poppies (P. rhoeas) are all annuals.

advertisement

Many poppies are difficult to grow from seed and are best purchased as plants. The poppy seeds used in cooking are P. somniferum and are often sold as bread seeds. Annual poppies like the native California poppy (Eschscholzia) are not even a poppy.

So you know what kind of poppies you want to grow. Remember to plant seeds in either the fall or winter, or make plans to chill the seeds in the fridge. One hurdle to germination is keeping the soil surface moist but not wet.

Some seeds require stratification or cold exposure and are generally sown in fall or winter. In addition, these seeds must be very fresh; They don’t store well from season to season.

Finally, poppy seeds need light to germinate, so they are sprinkled onto the surface of the growing medium and scratched or dusted with a light layer of soil.

My best suggestion is to carefully read the instructions that come with the package. The most common poppy germination problems are: seeds planted too deep, seeds stale, and the growing medium is too moist or too dry.

Sweet peas (Lathyrus odoratus) are annual plants. There are showy varieties and those grown for their fragrance. There are small plants, tall plants, ruffled flowers and simple ones.

The seeds need cool weather and are sown directly in early spring as soon as the soil can be tilled. Start early by planting indoors about six weeks before the soil is tillable, perhaps in late February.

You can also sow them in the fall if you have access to a cool spot like a cold frame. Some gardeners recommend soaking the seeds in lukewarm water overnight before planting to rehydrate the seeds and give them a head start.

advertisement

The things to look out for:

• Keep the soil moist, not wet. Watch out for mold.

•Keep temperatures cool. This is definitely not one to be sown under lights or with a heat mat.

•Despite their preference for cool weather, please harden them off for a few days before planting them out.

As for the fig cuttings, I rely on those with more experience. I found a good article on this topic on the UCDavis Fruit and Nut Research information page (bit.ly/2kX1ddl).

As Irene may already know, most fig trees are grown from cuttings, not seeds. This is because seeds often do not produce plants like the parent tree and only a portion of the seeds produce female plants with edible fruit.

advertisement

Cutting cuttings requires experience and knowledge that I don’t have. I recommend consulting a good reference book or the website mentioned above. Perhaps an experienced reader will be so kind as to share their knowledge with us.

In the garden

Not much going on in the garden. Hellebore begins to bloom. I have some nice white ones in a group on the hillside.

The daffodils at my mother-in-law’s house sprout in that warm piece of earth between the sidewalk and the brick side of the house. I see some swelling buds, but most of the action is in here.

My Amaryllis plants that I saved from last year are starting to sprout as planned. I usually have a burst of flowers in late February and early March.

Then there is the orchid. This poor plant shares a windowsill with my often neglected African violets. It gets knocked over at least once or twice when Emma, ​​my energetic cat, decides to chase a fly or stink bug in the window. She jumps gracefully, but doesn’t land nearly as gracefully on the orchid.

advertisement

I often forget to water it and yet it lives on and is now producing a beautiful bud stalk. It amazes me that it survives at all. Yet this plant has grown and flowered in the last three years. Try an orchid; There are very forgiving strains that even the most forgiving of us can grow.

Sue Kittek is a freelance gardening columnist, author, and lecturer. Send questions to Garden Keeper at [email protected] or email: Garden Keeper, The Morning Call, P.O. PO Box 1260, Allentown, PA 18105.

This week in the garden

Planting:

• Starting seeds for: Ageratum, Lobelia, Scabiosa, Torenia and Verbena. Finish sowing seeds for: Snapdragon, Statice, Helichrysum and Tobacco. Start next week: Dianthus. Create and follow a seed launch schedule. Check the packs for instructions such as B. start four weeks before the last frost date in the house. Then, using a calendar, count back from your region’s date (April 10-15 for the southern Lehigh Valley, May 10-15 for the northern regions) for the appropriate start time.

Seasonal:

advertisement

•Examine trees and shrubs. Note damaged limbs and candidates for winter pruning. Please verify the correct pruning information for each plant.

•Take cuttings of African violets and geraniums.

• Get seeds for plants you want to grow yourself. Check the germination rate for all stored seeds and replace those that are performing poorly.

•Turn amaryllis bulbs as they grow to keep the stems straight and strong. Cut back spent flower stalks and keep watering the greens to save the bulbs for next year.

Homework:

• Watch out for heavy plants when the ground is free of snow.

advertisement

• Place de-icing material, shovels, scrapers and other winter tools in a suitable place.

•Maintain the winter gear.

•Disconnect, drain and store hoses.

• Clean and store grow trays and other pots if using them for the season. Review supplies for next spring and make notes or buy as needed.

•Use a humidifier, moisture container, or mist for your houseplants.

• Apply winter mulch as soon as the ground freezes.

advertisement

•Check and repair caulking around doors and windows.

• Protect endangered plants from deer, rabbits and marmots. Reapply taste or odor repellent.

• Clean and fill bird feeders and bird baths regularly. Eliminate spilled seeds and empty hulls.

• Clean gutters and direct rainwater away from house foundations.

Tools, equipment and materials:

• Clean up, organize and replenish supplies of spring seeds and plants.

advertisement

•Clean, oil and store hand tools.

•Check and store fall equipment; repair or replace as necessary.

Security:

• Avoid tick bites:

– Sue Kittek

Mistakes everyone makes when planting poppies

Such bright splashes of color to dot your garden, these poppies come in so many colors, sizes, species and both annual (like oriental poppies) and perennial (like Flanders or field poppies) varieties (via The Morning Call). In fact, according to Thompson & Morgan, there are about 120 varieties, and the easiest to grow is the annual Flemish poppy, named after soldiers who died in World War I. For those who want a poppy that will come back year after year, the oriental variety has larger flowers.

Plant poppies in spring (March to May) or fall (August to October) – although those sown in spring may not fully bloom until next summer. One of the great things about poppies is that they are a pollinator, bringing bees and butterflies to your garden all summer long.

Poppies can be found in a variety of settings. You might hear the flower’s name and picture these tall-stemmed oriental poppies dotting the border garden of an English country house with lovely pastel and coral hues. Perhaps you are imagining a meadow full of red Flanders poppies bending in the wind. You might even want some other hues, say maroon, beige, or deep pink for the pots dotting your garden, according to Growing with Plants. Whatever you choose, remember that there are some rules when planting poppies.

Poppies, with their crepe-paper petals and fringed leaves, aren’t difficult to grow, but you may get conflicting advice on how to propagate them from seed. Oriental poppies (Papaver orientale) are perennials that grow well from poppy flower seeds. They are hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 3 through 7, according to the North Carolina State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox. You can also start them from nursery plants or cuttings.

The native California poppy (Eschscholzia californica) also grows easily from seed. Rated by the Missouri Botanical Garden as an annual or short-lived cool-weather perennial in US Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 6 through 10, these bright orange poppies are easy to naturalize in suitable sites. They benefit from stratification, a period of cold dormancy that breaks down the hard outer shell of the seeds. You can sow the seeds directly into your garden in the fall or early spring, or layer them in the fridge first for the best chance of success at poppy germination.

NEWPORT NEWS — Q

I have some wonderful peonies that came with my house. This year one bed – I have three of them – has these weird looking pods where the buds used to be. Everyone has what looks like tiny seeds. How do I treat them? I assume they are seeds for more peonies. Are they planted in fall or spring?

advertisement

Thank you and I enjoy your garden newsletter so much.

Caroline, email

advertisement

A

Carolyn, here is what the American Peony Society outlines as a course of action:

1) Soak the seed in water for several days, changing the water once or twice a day. This step hydrates the seed and can help remove sprout inhibitors. Discard any seeds that are mushy or moldy.

2) Place the soaked seeds in a plastic bag with slightly damp vermiculite or peat moss and seal tightly.

Daywatch Weekdays Start your morning with today’s local news >

3) Incubate the seeds by placing the bag in a warm area, preferably 80 to 90 F. Exposing the seeds to this relatively high temperature is important. At room temperature, incubation takes much longer and is not as uniform. So it’s important to find a spot with the right temperature and check it with a thermometer. Places I’ve used successfully include on a water heater and above grow lights.

Inspect the seeds every two weeks to verify proper moisture levels in the bags and check the condition of the seeds. You probably won’t notice any changes in the seed during the incubation period. The length of the incubation period depends on the temperature, but three months is usually sufficient.

4) After the incubation period, move the bag to a cool place to allow rooting to take place, between 50 and 60 F. Again, this temperature range is important. If it is too cool, rooting will be slow. If it’s too high, it won’t occur at all. Roots will begin to appear within a few weeks, and roots can grow up to 6 inches or more.

5) After roots have established, bring the seeds to a temperature of about 40 F. This step will overcome leaf dormancy. Again, if the temperature is too low, the process will be slower. When the dormant period wears off, a leaf begins to grow. At this stage the seed is ready to be placed in a warm place to grow. If they are removed from this step before the dormant period is over, they will generally not grow when planted out, so make sure a leaf comes out of the root. At this stage the germinated seeds can be treated like any other growing plant and transplanted outdoors or continued in pots. The large root requires the use of a deep pot when continuing to grow in ports. If they are removed from this step before the dormant period is over, they will generally not grow when planted out.

advertisement

6) In the first season, the plants may only produce a single leaf. Give them fertile, well-drained soil, keep them well watered, and protect them from hot sun. Apply a layer of mulch in cold climates in the fall. The plants get bigger each year, with some flowering in their third year, some in their fourth year, and the latecomers in their fifth year.

Visit

for more details.