I tried to order this seed for about three years and finally got my order in early enough last year to get some. Yes, it's actually purple. I planted them in a pot so I could segregate them from my other poppies and collect the seed. In good soil it would probably self seed. In my clay soil I have to actually plant P. somniferum seeds in the spring in carefully prepared spots.

Handee, thanks for the reply. I've got clay soil, too. Good to know I'd better save some seed if I want to have a patch of them next year.

Where did you purchase the plants? I've only seen the seeds being offered and I've never had any luck growing them.

Bellarosa-I bought them from a lady that sells perennials from a roadside stand. I've never seen them at the garden centers either. My MIL has red poppies that seed themselves like crazy in her sandy garden, but when I tried them they didn't seed themselves. I'm guessing from Handee's reply that it's my clay soil. I plan to collect some of the seed to start indoors for next year, and see if the ones I leave out sprout next spring.

Hi, cnetter! Thanks for posting the pics-I like both of them. This could be a whole NEW addiction for me, lol! I have quite a few oriental poppies, but haven't had much experience with these. Do they continue to bloom as long as you keep them deadheaded?
Brenda

I bought seeds 3 years ago from Select Seeds. They probably still sell them. It has self sowed for me a bit. I have some perennials that are crowding out that part of the bed so I am not sure if I will get any this year. It is a pretty poppy.

They don't continue to bloom for me. They have their season, and then they're done.
This year I'm trying a lot of different varieties I got from Select Seeds.
BTW, one or two seed heads contain enough seeds to fill a flat or two with poppies. I get great germination from collected seeds.

I'm excited that my Lauren's Grape reseeded and is stout and happy next to a lavender breadseed.

Lauren's Grape
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Lavender Breadseed
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Great combo
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I've winter sown lauren's grape seeds with much success.
Duane