Saturday, July 12, 2008

Pretty Poppies

Anyone who has ever been to my garden will note that I am very fond of Poppies! I planted a row of Shirley poppies in my vegetable garden many years ago, and was enchanted by their tissue paper texture and lovely colors and bi-colors. They reseeded, came back, and then I began casting the seeds all over my garden! I still love the Shirley poppies, but each year I try some new ones of other types. Last year it was Drama Queen and Pink Ruffled and Lauren's Grape. This year I obtained seed from a Gardenweb trade for White Swansdown....pictured below.



It is aptly named, as it's large double flowers with snow white petals do have the look of the fine soft feathers of a Swan's down. These are about 3 ft. tall and the foliage is a pleasant grayish blue-green color. The Latin name is Papaver somniferum laciniatum.




Another endearing feature of Poppies are the buds. I like the way they gracefully hang their heads, until they are ready to fully bloom. Then they stand upright... at attention! Here is a fat bud, just beginning to open, still in it's drooping position.





A close-up of the feathery white 'down'.



18 comments:

Sheila said...

Lovely photos. I am envious as I never have much luck with poppies.

Amy said...

Beautiful! I really must make room for poppies in my garden next year as I love them wherever I see them :)

chey said...

Those are really pretty, and very suitably named!

growingagardenindavis said...

Those are beautiful!

Melissa said...

Next year, I won't overcrowd my poppies but still - I was so belated and busy the easy broadcast a lot of seed and run method really was the best plan.

This poppy is stunning.

Eve said...

Those are so pretty. I love poppies but they just don't love me back. But these inspire me to try again.

Wesley said...

Gorgeoous Poppies I have enjoyed them, I love Shirlies, Orientals, and California poppies but, have never tried this variety of poppy before is it a prickly poppy or a peony flowered poppy? it is beautiful and it looks like I need to add this poppy to my cottage garden.


Flowersforusall.blogspot.com

Connie said...

Wesley - It is the peony flowered type, same kind of foliage.

Catherine said...

I MUST have some of those! You are doing a great job not only in your garden, but showing us who can't see it up close and personal. I DO need another tour, and I'm thinking Friday, August 8 with my sister, Margy, who will be visiting from western WA. She's heard so much about you.

Anonymous said...

I like poppies and I love this white one all decked out in frills. I keep buying poppy seeds and forget to plant them!

O.I.M said...

I love poppies too but have never seen one quite like that. I think i Iike poppies because they seem so eager to grow and please.
cheers
irena

Anonymous said...

Absolutely gorgeous! I do want some of these! Do you think they could withstand all the humidity down here?

garden girl said...

What a beautiful poppy Connie! It's aptly named. The soft, featherly texture is lovely. I've never seen one like it.

Connie said...

Becky - I'm sorry I don't know the answer to your question about poppies/humidity...maybe someone nearer your climate zone would know?

Mother Nature said...

I love white flowers. I'll be looking for Swansdown.
Do you plant fall or spring? I've had Shirley Poppies before but not Oriental.

Roses and Lilacs said...

Good morning. I followed a link to your site from Amy's blog.

I have no poppies now but after seeing your supper full ones, I want some. Those are stunning.

BTW, love the banana cream color on your house (on the latest post.)
Marnie

Connie said...

Mother Nature - These are annual poppies. I winter sowed them, then transplanted to the garden in spring.(www.wintersown.org)

I am sure, left to themselves, they would self-seed, or could be sown directly in the ground in either fall or early spring.

The Seed Basket said...

Hi Connie
I found you by accident while searching for the Swansdown Poppy. For a minute I thought the one picture was mine. I really enjoyed looking through your photo's.

Thanks
Sherrie