Jane Straight© Opium Poppy ~ Papaver somniferum

Papaver somniferum is a graceful garden beauty with blue green foliage and large colorful flowers. All parts of the plant are active. If you plant many, there will always be a succession of blossoms. When the flowers are spent and the petals fall, your garden will be colorfully veiled. Witness the seed capsules swell, and when completely dry on the plant, collect them. They will serve as fresh seed for next season as well as for medicine. There is a recipe in the book for brewing poppy head tea for pain which is extremely effective!