Papaver somniferum

Hilary · « **on:** April 29, 2019, 08:23:42 AM »

Papaver somniferum

Not having a garden I avoid plants which need much care.

However after obtaining seeds from THE MEDITERRANEAN GARDEN SOCIETY seed exchange and seeing how my friends enjoyed sowing them in their gardens I decided last year to give it a go. Flowering plants in pots seem to have a very short life on our hot balcony.
I planted the seeds in October and tried to find a less windy place to put the pots.
So far we have had the joy of counting how many Poppy flowers were open each day. I think the greatest number was ten for a few days.

The current seed list is here
http://www.mediterraneangardensociety.org/seedlist.html

Charithea · « **Reply #1 on:** April 29, 2019, 09:56:25 AM »

Well done Hilary. Mine never germinated. By the way my mother used to grow this type of poppy.

Alisdair · « **Reply #2 on:** April 29, 2019, 05:33:44 PM »

They have done well, Hilary. We grow them here in Sussex (and they reseed), but I've never thought they'd stand our Greek garden. Your success certainly tempts me to try.

Hilary · « **Reply #3 on:** April 29, 2019, 06:47:28 PM »

I must say the had plenty of mollycoddling and talking to

Umbrian · « **Reply #4 on:** April 30, 2019, 06:22:38 AM »

A lovely venture Hilary - what will you try next?

Hilary · « **Reply #5 on:** April 30, 2019, 07:15:25 AM »

More mauve/ purple flowers
Too busy enjoying this spring to think about plans for next spring!

Fermi · « **Reply #6 on:** November 03, 2020, 12:57:39 PM »

We didn't sow any of these poppies this year but they pop up around the garden.
The original one here was a plummy purple but we introduced a few different colours over the years, as well as doubles
cheers
fermi

David Dickinson · « **Reply #7 on:** November 04, 2020, 01:24:56 AM »

I'm not normally a fan of double flowers but the penultimate and the last of those poppies are amazing. The petals look like dancing flames in a fire ball.