Poppy LAURENS GRAPE somniferum Dark Purple 4" Large Blooms Non-GMO 500 Seeds!

100% Pure Seed ? Non-GMO - Fresh for this season!

There is a local legend that renowned Colorado garden writer Lauren Springer sowed some poppy seeds from a bagel and discovered this unique variety. In reality, this experienced horticulturist spent years culling the seeds from the rich purple poppies growing in her garden, knowing gardeners would appreciate the superb beauty of this stunning variety.

PRODUCT INFORMATION

• Papaver somniferum
• Poppy seeds need to be cold stratified to germinate.
• Laurens Grape Single, 4" blossoms in a mix of plum, purple, amethyst, violet and magenta!
• Noteworthy to say the least! Lauren's Grape Poppy is a hardy annual, producing up to 5 blooms per plant.
• Once established, can tolerate sun, shade, cultivated or neglected conditions.
• Hardy annual - Grows 24-30 Inches
• Up to 4 Inches blossoms - Up to 5 Blooms per Plant

FAST FACTS

• Name: Poppy Seeds - Laurens Grape
• Botanical Name:      Papaver somniferum
• Life Cycle:     Annual
• Light Requirement:  Full Sun, Partial Sun
• Planting Season:     Spring
• Plant Type:   Tall green stems with petals in shades of plum, purple, amethyst, violet and magenta and a pale yellow heart.
• Features:      Open Pollinated, Attracts Pollinators, Drought Tolerant, Container Garden, Easy to Grow & Maintain
• Color: Purple
• Blooms:        Summer
• Plant Height: 24-30 inches
• Plant Spacing:         6-8 inches
• Planting Depth:       1/16 inch
• Sowing Method:      Start Indoors, Direct Sow
• Cold Stratification:   Yes; direct sowing is recommended in late fall or early spring for zones 2-8
• Hardiness Zones:    3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
• Ships: Year Round

HOW TO GROW POPPIES

Poppy seeds need to be cold stratified to germinate. Scroll down for cold stratifying instructions.

Papaver Rhoeas act as perennials in moderate climates, but they perform as annuals where freezing temperatures and snow occur in winter. These poppies germinate most successfully in cool to moderate temperatures and they are, in fact, frost tolerant. Poppies flower best under cool spring weather conditions. Bloom decreases on poppies as temperatures increase in summer months.

In growing zones 3 ? 7, the Red Corn Poppy, Shirley Poppy ? Mixed Colors and the Shirley Poppy ? Mixed Double seeds can be planted in late autumn or early spring when a light frost is still possible.

In zones 8 ? 10, these poppy seeds should be sown in late autumn or winter.

Poppies only need soil that is ordinary and moist, but well drained. The seeds should not be planted deeply; they just need to be compressed into the soil, as they need light to germinate. The best method for planting is to mix one part seed with 5 parts sand and scatter over the prepared growing area.

These varieties of poppy seeds generally germinate in about 20 days. You can thin the seedlings to 6? to 8? apart after they emerge.

If planting in rows, then plant the seeds 6? to 8? apart.

Poppies do best if planted directly outdoors in their intended location rather than transplanting them. However, if necessary, they can be started in biodegradable peat pots indoors before the last spring frost. The entire peat pot can then be planted outdoors once the poppy seedlings are established.

Poppies should be watered regularly, but they can tolerate dry conditions. It is not necessary to fertilize poppies.

Red Corn Poppy and Shirley Poppy varieties can reach 2? to 4? in height at maturity with flowers up to 2? across.

It generally takes about 60 to 90 days for poppies to bloom after the seed is planted. This timing depends very much on your growing zone and when you plant, along with Mother Nature?s cooperation. The bloom season for poppies is spring to summer. Poppy plants will bloom for a few weeks, but the length of bloom time can be extended by regular watering and application of mulch for moisture retention, as well as regular dead-heading of spent flowers. It is also recommended that the seed be sown in successive plantings to extend the bloom season of the poppies.

HOW TO COLD STRATIFY SEEDS

Everyone wants plants. Now. But there are a small group of seeds that require a special treatment before they will even germinate in a climate that has temperatures below freezing. This process is called ?Cold Stratification.? There are two ways to accomplish this.

Fall Planting

If time is not a problem, you can put them in the ground in fall and let them go through a winter. They will sprout next year, but not flower. The following year, having gone through two winters, they will return and bloom as expected.

If you are planting poppies direct sowing is recommended in late fall or early spring for zones 2-8

Create a "False Winter"

The second way to do this, if you want to save time, is to create a ?false winter.?  What this does is trick the seeds into thinking they have been in the ground for an entire year.  All they need is to be in your refrigerator for at least 2 ½ months.

About 3 months before spring, place seeds in a plastic bag with a handful of slightly dampened, clean peat, paper towel, or a mix of clean peat and sand.

Seal and label the bag with seed name and date, then store in the refrigerator (not freezer) for at least 2½ mos. before planting in spring. (The cold period mimics a full winter?s cold.)

Once your seed has been treated, it?s ready to plant when spring arrives.

Varieties that need Cold Stratification:

Asclepias Seeds, New England Aster Seeds, Canterbury Bells Seeds, Chinese Lantern Seeds, Cleome Seeds, Columbine Seeds, Coneflower Seeds, Perennial Flax Seeds, Floxglove Seeds, Wild Blue Iris Seeds, Lemon Mint Seeds, Lobelia Seeds, Poppy Seeds, Rocky Mountain Penstemon Seeds, Primrose Seeds, Scarlet Sage Seeds, Wallflower Seeds, Yarrow Seeds, Angelica Seeds, Caper Seeds, Lavender Seeds, Marshmallow Seeds, Oregano Seeds, Perilla (Shiso) Seeds, St. Johns Wort Seeds, Asparagus Seeds.,