Papaver somniferum 'Lauren's Grape'
opium poppy 'Lauren's Grape'
An upright annual, to 90cm tall, with deeply lobed, grey-green leaves and single, bowl-shaped, rich purple flowers, to 10cm across, with a glossy black basal blotch, which are followed by decorative pepperpot seedpods; good for cutting fresh or dried
Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metresTime to ultimate height
1 yearUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Grey Silver Green | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Purple | Grey Silver Green | ||
| Autumn | Grey Silver Green | |||
| Winter |
Position
- Partial shade
Aspect
West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
ExposedDrought resistance
Yes Hardiness
H5Botanical details
- Family
- Papaveraceae
- Native to the UK
- 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 in spring
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Prairie planting
- Gravel garden
Pruning
No pruning required but deadhead to prevent re-seeding
Pests
May be susceptible to aphids
Diseases
May be susceptible to downy mildews in wet conditions and fungal wilts
Get involved
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