Papaver somniferum 'Black Beauty'

Papaver somniferum 'Black Beauty' is an incredibly glamorous opium poppy with sumptuous, double, black peony flowers, lovely silvery leaves and fantastic architectural seed pods.

Opium poppies are a wonderful garden flower which pops up of its own volition, from one year to the next. Beautiful in flower and the seedpods are fantastic for arranging – we use them fresh, dried and sprayed silver at Christmas and of course the seeds are delicious in baking and toasted for salads – an all round unmissable posse of plants.

Please note: This is harmful if eaten.

Genus	Papaver somniferum
Variety	Black Beauty
Type	Hardy Annual
Common Name	Opium Poppy
Border Position	Middle
Soil Type	Chalky, Sandy, Neutral
Scent	Unscented
Site	Full Sun
Moisture	Moist but Well-drained
Height	90cm (36in)
Spacing	Plant 30cm (12in) apart.
Sowing, Seeds, Planting	Sow thinly just below the surface March-May and/or late August-September. Dislikes root disturbance. For best results direct sow.
Care Tips	Protect from slugs and snails. They will self-sow.
Flowering	Late May - August, 10 weeks from a spring sowing
Vase Life	Flowers won't last more than 24 hours even if you sear stem ends. Use them cut short and floated in bowl of water. The seed pods last indefinitely.
Harvesting	Flower production: 2 months.

Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec

Sow Under Cover/Plant Indoors
Direct Sow/Plant Outdoors
Flowers/Harvest

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