Poppy Poppy 1. A. Poppy seed are used in several popular pastry foods such as Kolaches and as decorations on Rosebowl floats. Yet the poppy has a bad image in that opium is extracted from the pods of certain species. Poppies are invaluable for bringing bright color to the garden in early summer.
Poppies are a diverse group of flowers with annuals, biennials and perennials in their ranks.
Seed sown in early spring will produce flowers from midsummer into fall then from spring to autumn if the old flower heads are removed and not allowed to set seed. Sowings can also be made in summer for bloom the next season. Also consider planting the dainty, low-growing P. alpinum . This blooms readily from seed and prefers full sun, poor soil and good drainage. Some late flowers can be allowed to set seed for next year.