Red Poppies

Red Poppy (Papaver rhoeas)
Red Poppies

I like to include flowers in my vegetable garden.

I could say that the reason is that they attract pollinators, which in turn help to fertilize my vegetables.

But, the real reason is that I think they are just pretty.

Every year, I grow bachelor’s button in my garden because I love their bright, blue flowers.

This year, I threw some red poppy seed into the garden.

Seriously….I didn’t even cover it with soil or designate a certain area for it.  I simply threw it in there on a whim.

Red Poppies

Just last week, they began to bloom.

I love the way their unopened blossoms gracefully droop downward, don’t you?

And I must say, that I am just overwhelmed at how beautiful they are….

Red Poppy (Papaver rhoeas)

Red Poppy (Papaver rhoeas)

I will definitely collect the seeds so that I can plant them again next year.

How about you?

Have you ever grown poppies?

Noelle Johnson, aka, 'AZ Plant Lady' is a author, horticulturist, and landscape consultant who helps people learn how to create, grow, and maintain beautiful desert gardens that thrive in a hot, dry climate. She does this through her consulting services, her online class Desert Gardening 101, and her monthly membership club, Through the Garden Gate. As she likes to tell desert-dwellers, "Gardening in the desert isn't hard, but it is different."
8 replies
  1. Nicole
    Nicole says:

    That is just so beautiful, Tried to grow poppies several time without success. Got them to germinate once but then the fine seedlings were destroyed by rain.

  2. Maureen
    Maureen says:

    I love poppies too and I too scatter seed everywhere. Think opium poppies are my favourite but also love Californian Poppies, Welsh poppies , Shirley poppies and th eperennial poppies

  3. RobinL
    RobinL says:

    I grew pink poppies last year, and I loved them! I did throw seeds out into the garden without covering them, but I don't seem them coming back. It's early for me yet, so I'll do it again soon.

  4. NellJean
    NellJean says:

    Love corn poppies! When the pollen gets mature it's all blue and just an added treat to see.

    Next year I mean to have Iceland poppies, not so easy in my climate and yours, but they work for winter gardens.

  5. Tootsie
    Tootsie says:

    You have a very beautiful garden here and I would like to take this opportunity to invite you to link in with some photos…either current or past (during the dormant seasons) to Flaunt Your Flowers on Friday with me. Many absolutely gorgeous gardens participate in this party, and yours would be a welcome visit for them all to make!
    I have enjoyed my visit here today…happy gardening!
    (¯`v´¯)
    `*.¸.*´Glenda/Tootsie
    ¸.•´¸.•*¨) ¸.•*¨)
    (¸.•´ (¸.•´ .•´ ¸¸.•¨¯`•.

    http://www.tootsietime.com

  6. D
    D says:

    I love poppies, and that first picture is just a fabulous photo! So crisp – I feel like I could just touch it! I bought a package of seeds but didn't know where to try and plant them, so it is still sitting in my seedbox.
    I live in Gilbert, too, on an irrigated acre, so I just love reading your blog because it gives me lots of great ideas and advice. Thanks! I voted for you, too!

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