Bearing beautiful paperlike petals in late spring, their loveliness is short-lived but memorable. Growing up to 18 inches tall, they bloom in a variety of colors, including a new array of gorgeous pastels. Poppies are easy to grow, too, and often reseed rapidly in good conditions. Choose a site in full sun to light shade. Because poppies have a rather loose growth habit, they do well in wildflower-type plantings.
Plant poppies directly in the soil.
Sow seeds directly onto the surface of a prepared flower bed, sprinkling lightly. There's no need to cover the seeds with soil. Keep soil slightly moist, though annual poppies often tolerate slight drought well. Pull out plants and discard once heat arrives and they become ratty-looking. Poppies don't require fertilization.