Position

Sun exposure:
Full sun
Aspect:
South facing, west facing
Position in border:
Middle

Soil

Succeeds on poor soil:
Well Drained / Light / Sandy

Papaver somniferum, the opium poppy, is an attractive plant with hairy, blue-green foliage from which blowsy, extravagant blooms emerge in summer. The flowers can be single or double, in a rich variety of colours including purple, mauve, white and red. Individual flowers don't last long but others follow, each producing a large seed head, which is very attractive in its own right. Given the right conditions Papaver somniferum will self-seed profusely.

How to grow Papaver somniferum

Grow Papaver somniferum in fertile, well-drained soil in full sun. Let plants develop seedheads after flowering to ensure they self-seed around your garden, or collect seed to sow in spring.

Plant calendar

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Sowyesyesyes
Flowersyesyes
Collect seedsyesyes

Papaver and wildlife

Papaver is known for attracting bees. It has nectar/pollen rich flowers.

Is known to attract Bees
Bees
Is not known to attract Beneficial insects
Beneficial insects
Is not known to attract Birds
Birds
Is not known to attract Butterflies/​Moths
Butterflies/​Moths
Is not known to attract Other pollinators
Other pollinators

Is Papaver poisonous?

Papaver can be toxic.

Toxic to:
Is known to attract Cats
Cats
Is known to attract Dogs
Dogs
Is known to attract People
People
No reported toxicity to:
Is not known to attract Birds
Birds
Is not known to attract Horses
Horses
Is not known to attract Livestock
Livestock
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