This is a prolific self-seeding flower. The red one behind is the same species. I did not see any last year, so assume gardeners may chopped them down.
The great thing is you can never be sure that the seedlings will be the same as the parent plant. So it is fun to wait and see, the seed heads are great for drying.
I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
@Slow-worm I put one pack out, nothing this year. Then I found lots from last year in another part if the garden. I did grow a few in pots from the packet, poor germination again as I have two plants. They will give me next years seed. Hope you can beg some from somewhere all you need is one seed head.
I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
Oh! That identification turned out a lot more exciting than I anticipated. I didn't spot it before because the stems and leaves of P. somniferum are much thicker and more robust than P. rhoeas.
A few weeks back the old flower bed was full of nettles. I was somewhat tempted to harvest Nettle tea from the mass, and instead pulled them all out. These Papaver somniferum quickly emerged and filled the void. Now I can make Poppy tea instead!
![[Glen]](images/921bf10fe0db2f1f253afd69a70ac659.svg)
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Seed trays next time..
A few weeks back the old flower bed was full of nettles. I was somewhat tempted to harvest Nettle tea from the mass, and instead pulled them all out. These Papaver somniferum quickly emerged and filled the void. Now I can make Poppy tea instead!
How would one go about harvesting them?