Papaver somniferum (Paeoniiflorum Group) 'Black Paeony' (d)
opium poppy 'Black Paeony'
An upright annual, to 90cm tall, with heart-shaped, silvery leaves; the upper ones clasping the stem and with toothed, wavy margins. The fully double flowers have shiny, very dark red-black petals, and are followed by decorative, pepperpot seed pods; good for cutting fresh or dried
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Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metresTime to ultimate height
1 yearUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Grey Silver | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Black | Grey Silver | Grey Silver | |
| Autumn | Grey Silver | Grey Silver | ||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Exposed or ShelteredDrought resistance
Yes Hardiness
H5Botanical details
- Family
- Papaveraceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Columnar upright
- Potentially harmful
- Harmful if eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling Pets: Harmful if eaten - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers
- Genus
Papaver can be annuals, biennials or herbaceous perennials with simple or pinnately divided leaves and short-lived, saucer-shaped, 4-petalled flowers which may be solitary or in racemes
- Name status
Accepted
How to grow
Cultivation
Easy to grow in any well-drained or moist but well-drained soil in full sun or light shade
Propagation
Propagate by seed in situ during spring
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Cottage and informal garden
- Gravel garden
- Wildflower meadow
- Prairie planting
- Flower borders and beds
Pruning
No pruning required
Pests
May be susceptible to aphids
Diseases
May be susceptible to downy mildews, powdery mildews, fungal wilts and verticillium wilt
Papaver somniferum (Paeoniiflorum Group) 'Black Paeony' (d)
opium poppy 'Black Paeony'
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