POPPY SEEDS

Everybody loves a poppy - what makes them special for you?

Poppies are most certainly one of the most beautiful otherworldly flowers to grow. Their iridescent petals appear to be so delicate but when you come to know them, you realise the roots grow deep and are incredibly strong. I feel they hold and harness a strong power about them. The California poppy is even said to have calming effects.

Not only are they a real pleasure for us, they are a feast for bees and other pollinators of the garden. Although poppies don’t actually produce sugary sweet nectar, they do have an abundance of pollen that contains vital proteins and fats for the growing young and adult bees’ health.

Once grown in our mycelium seed trays, where in the garden is best for poppies?

If you’re growing poppies for pots then I would suggest they are sown directly into the trays, to later be put into a pretty pot of your choice. I’d avoid any transplanting if possible.

So once they are at a stage when they can be thinned out and you are happy with the selection you have in your mycelium seed tray then fill your favourite pot with compost and cover the tray until it disappears and you only see the poppy plants themselves.

What do poppies need as they grow?

Poppies are fairly low maintenance - however, they do require a lot of compliments and admiration along the way. They love to be sung to!

You can sow them onto a bed of well prepared soil in the spring, to have them flower in the summer. Or you can sow them in the autumn to flower the following summer.

Poppies need light to germinate so there is no need to cover them with soil. Sow them directly on top of the soil and remember to water the seeds gently, keeping the soil moist until germination.

Which other flowers and plants would you plant around them to make a haven for bees and other pollinators?

There is a whole array of beautiful plants to plant for bees and other pollinators. Alliums are loved by the bumble bees. Cosmos are irresistible to bees, they provide nectar and pollen so a real all-rounder, also a fantastic cut flower. Echinacea is probably one of the top ones. Last summer I would sit, close my eyes and listen to the orchestra of bees going in and out of the towering apricot foxgloves. Another one of the bumble bee’s favourites!

When is it best to cut your poppies to bring them into the house?

Icelandic poppies grow very well in the winter months, a poly tunnel has the ideal conditions. They are one of the only cut flowers that grow at that time of year as they love the cold.

For most of the other varieties I would say by June you should be living in a poppy kingdom. Once cut from the garden and before you cut them to the length you want, immediately put them into hot water for about 10 seconds before arranging them.

Poppies love to self seed. If you leave the seed head on the plant, they will dry out naturally in the late summer, early autumn. As the winds in the autumn get stronger the wind will help disperse hundreds of seeds. I also like to save the seed and wait until the spring because of winter weather conditions. If we get a lot of rain they could wash away so it’s great to save a few seed heads and sow another batch just in case.

How would you arrange them once cut?

One of the most beautiful parts of the poppy is their spindle-like stems. I love arranging poppies in varying heights in bud vases, to create a sense of movement allowing you to admire every part of the stem and flower. When the warm summer breeze comes in through the window there is a flutter dance amongst them.

Although incredibly striking on their own, they are also enchanting with other bloom forms and textures such as cosmos and sweet-peas.

Can you talk us through how to gather poppy seeds?

Saving and sharing seeds is one of the biggest gardening joys. There was a particularly beautiful poppy that I grew last year. I’ll never forget her. So mesmerising. When the last petal had fallen I collected her seed head.

It’s time to collect the seed head when the last petal has fallen and the seed pod has turned light brown. Pinch the seed head off the stalk. Then lay them out and store them in a cool, dry place to dry for 1-2 weeks. When they have completely dried out you will see tiny little holes around the edge, like tiny windows. If you shake the seed pod, like a pepper shaker onto a piece of paper, plenty of seeds should fall. Continue to dry these seeds for a couple of weeks in an open container. Then pour the seeds into a glass container with a tight fitting lid, such as a kilner jar. In the early spring you can sow them directly after the frost.

When I come to sow the seeds of the beautiful poppy that I mentioned, I will remember her. The journey and her line will continue. It really helps one appreciate the beauty of a plant’s life cycle.