FLOWERS - PEONE POPPY mixed coulours - (Papaver Paeniflorum) - 10 seeds

Papaver paeoniflorum, a member of the poppy family, is commonly called peony poppy. It is related to opium poppy (Papaver somniferum), which yields edible seeds and an oil used to make soaps and pharmaceuticals. Peony poppy grows as an annual ornamental plant in temperate climates.

Peony poppy is also sometimes called double garden poppy because it produces large, double blooms that typically span 4 to 5 inches across. The plant reaches an average of height of 2 to 3 feet. The flowers have the characteristic papery, ruffled appearance and texture of other poppies. The attractive foliage has rounded leaves accented with feathery edging. The large seed pods that appear after flowering work well in dried floral arrangements and you can use them for crafts.

Peony poppy comes in a range of colors. The “Black” peony poppy cultivar, for example, features deep maroon flowers that are so dark they look black. “Cream” peony poppy has large, cream-colored flowers, useful in floral arrangements, making this particular cultivar a smart choice for a cutting flower garden. “Pale Rose” peony poppy produces pale rose-colored flowers that also repeat after cutting, while the blue-green foliage provides interesting contrast. Other notable varieties include the long-blooming “Red Striped” and "Flemish Antique," the red, pink and white streaked flowers of which often appear in paintings by the Dutch Masters of the 16th and 17th centuries.

Peony poppy prefers organically rich, well-draining soil in full sun. You can start plants indoors from seed lightly pressed into prepared peat pots, but do not cover them with soil. Outdoors, rake seeds into soil that has had the top layer loosened. To firm seeds in, simply walk over the area. Germination requires light, and should occur within two weeks to 21 days.