Papaver somniferum 'Black Beauty'

* * * - - Based on 1 review
Papaver somniferum 'Black Beauty' is an incredibly glamorous poppy with sumptuous, double, black peony flowers, lovely silvery leaves and fantastic architectural seed pods. More
150 seeds 020050 £1.95 In stock
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Or buy this as part of our Poppy somniferum Mix.

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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, Neutral, Sandy
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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Papaver somniferum 'Black Beauty' reviews

* * * - - Average based on 1 review
Not quite what we were expecting

* * * - -

Reviewed 20th February 2018 by Debra Lapthorne

The seeds we sewed last year grew as small single red field poppies, not papaver somniferum which was rather disappointing.

Reply from the Sarah Raven Team:

"Thank you for your feedback. We are sorry to hear that your seeds appear to have flowered incorrectly and apolgise for the disappointment. We are unaware of any other reports of this happening, so if you would like to try a replacement packet then we will of course send you one so that you can try again. We have made a note on your account and if you contact our customer service team at info@sarahraven.com or by calling 0345 092 0283 we will arrange for your seeds to be sent out to you or alternatively, if you prefer, we can arrange for the packet to be refunded.
Kind Regards, The Sarah Raven Team"

Posted 21st February 2018
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