Papaver spp. Sensuous luxurious flowers, about 2½–3' tall. Poppies make wondrous cutflowers: choose buds that have straightened up but not quite opened. Immediately sear the cut stem with a flame and put in water. Poppies open after several hours—an austere bouquet in the evening can become a riot of colors the next morning.
Culture: Need light to germinate. Sow outside in spring after frost or sow in fall for early blooms the following summer. Thin to 9–12". Like full sun. Will self sow. ~2,000 to 7,000 seeds/g.
All flowers are annuals except where noted. All flowers are open-pollinated except where noted.
Days in parentheses after a variety indicate days to first bloom.