There is still sufficient time for poppy seeds to develop and dry enough for harvest. Because of our short growing season, poppies bloom in late summer. Poppies usually bloom in late spring to early summer. They were much smaller than the ones in our main garden and did not get as many blooms. We had some poppy plants in an area that had poor soil, and they struggled to grow. They prefer well-drained soil but will grow almost anywhere.
West Coast Seeds Brecks Canada McKenzie Seeds T & T Seedsįor best results, sow seeds in early spring, in an area that gets full sun.
In Canada, there are several different seed companies that sell these. If you have no one to get poppy seeds from, then order from a reputable seed company. Perennial poppies include Oriental poppies and celandine poppies. There are annual, biennial, and perennial varieties of poppies.Īnnual poppies include the common poppy, Himalayan poppy, and Ladybird poppy. If you want to grow poppy flowers for the seeds to bake with, make sure you plant opium poppies (Papaver somniferum).Ĭalifornia poppies (Eschscholzia californica), a native poppy, or Oriental Poppies (Papaver orientale), do not produce edible seeds. It has pain-relieving and relaxing qualities but does not contain the same addictive and narcotic traits of the opium poppy. The opium poppy is illegal in a lot of states, as these seeds contain the substances to make opium, heroin, morphine, and codeine.Ĭalifornia poppies are another variety that comes from the same family as the opium poppy and carries some of the same benefits. It is taller than most other varieties and is an exquisitely attractive plant. Opium poppies (Papaver somniferum) have distinct gray-green foliage and produce red, purple, and even white flowers. There are also Iceland poppies, which is a short-lived poppy, and Himalayan poppies, which are an unusual sky blue hue. It is a common feature in the northern gardens and blooms in June and July. One familiar poppy is the Oriental poppy. The common poppy usually refers to the Flanders poppy, which became a symbol of World War I after this species grew wild on the battlefields. The common name poppy refers to a large number of species in the Papaveroideae family, of which there are more than 12 different types! Poppies will do well in your wildflower patch, as they self-seed and will grow the next year as well.ĭepending on the variety you plant, some poppy seeds are gray or black. Not only are they easy to grow, but they also produce beautiful blooms.
All you need to do is let them dry, and harvest them. After flowering, poppies create seed heads. Perennial poppies that have been given the opportunity to spread seed will always come back every year. However, they are a beautiful addition to your garden. They usually aren’t planted as a cut flower, because the flower petals fall off really easily.
Once you know how to collect poppy seeds, you will never need to repurchase them.