Here at Annie’s , we love our giant Papavers and we grow over 30 different varieties. Call us crazy, but we have a theory that there’s a Papaver for every personality and every garden!
Papaver ‘Drama Queen’
Crazy colorful and wild at heart, Papaver ‘Drama Queen’ isn’t afraid to say: “Don’t mess with me fellas! This isn’t my first time at the rodeo!” Beautiful, brazen and so far over-the-top, the garden falls into silence the minute one of its buds pops open. All of its Poppy friends hide their wire hangers when it comes over.
Papaver ‘Cupcake’
So sweet and sunny and perfectly princess pink, pretty Papaver ‘Cupcake’ always sees the compost pile as half full. So dang upbeat, it’s infectious – it can even make people who hate pink spontaneously burst out into song.
Papaver ‘Venus’
Like a gift from the Poppy gods, ‘Venus’ is a cross between a neo-classical goddess and a cheerleader on steroids. When it lifts its massive salmon-pink pom-poms skyward and shouts: “Give me a P!” the crowd goes wild.
Papaver ‘Single Black’
Like Stevie Nicks in her witchy phase, Papaver ‘Single Black’ swirls around the garden in a cloak of deepest maroony-black petals. People rely on it to add a touch of danger and intrigue wherever it’s planted and it never disappoints. Naughty and nice planted with frothy white “Venus’ Navelwort” for maximum rock and roll!
Papaver ‘Falling in Love’
Walking around with its head in the clouds, every day is Valentine’s Day for ‘Falling in Love’. Soft and bubbly, it loves surprises and rewards admirers with a loveable mix of bicolored pink and white, scarlet-orange, rose, pink or peach blooms. Sure, some of its less showy and more bitter garden rivals call it “Flailing in Love” but it doesn’t care. It knows life is too short to give your heart to just one suitor.
Papaver ‘Queen’s Poppy’
Do you like to wear capes? Do you keep your family jewels in a tower? Then most certainly ‘Queen’s Poppy’ is for you! Positively regal – and immense! – 5″ cherry pink blooms, conferred with a white Maltese cross at the base rise up and rule the garden in late Spring. Reseeds reliably so that successive generations can ascend the throne.
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Got any that grow in southern California? Orange County.
yes martin – all of them!
A needed breath of of spring amid all the ice and snow in the midwest! Beautiful!
wishing you warmth victoria – and a happy spring once it decides to arrive!
Stunning. Think the ‘Single Black’ and ‘Falling in love’ are my favourites.
All beautiful- but are they deer candy? Would love to plant some but are they safe out in the open??? I’d hate to see Falling in Love left at the alter!
hi michael: yes, papavers are deer resistant! that doesn’t mean some rogue deer might try a nibble but in general, they should be safe out in the open. so fear not for ‘Falling in Love’ – she should be able to fend for herself!
two truly beautiful varieties – and both fit in deliciously in the garden. thanks for the comment!
Which Poppy am I? Gadzooks what a question! I’ll have to call up all my past lifetimes to find out, as I have an inkling that I’m probably all 30 of them.
yes, i think many of us here have multiple poppy personalities as well. thanks for the comment!
Oh my god! This is hilarious! I love it! I am now certain to plant poppies. Thank you!
Is it too late to start poppies from seed?
hi eleanor – it is not too late to start poppies from seed. i don’t know where you live, but we seed them all the way thru to the end of march just fine here in coastal california. you want to have them blooming and doing their thing by mid-april for the best results. once the weather warms up, they tend to bolt. good luck!
One of mine is done blooming and I am not a fan of the foliage left behind. Will there be more flowers later or should I take it out?
Hi Anne: it depends. If you want the Poppies to reseed for future flowers, let the seed heads mature on the plants until you can hear the seeds rattling inside and see the little “windows” open at the top of the pod. You can strip away the dried foliage from the bottom while the seeds ripen. If you aren’t worried or wanting seedlings next Spring, you can pull them out anytime. Once they are done blooming and there are no buds, the plant is usually done.