Papaver somniferum var. album

Opium poppies are prolific opportunists, and once they have been introduced will return reliably year after year. I am especially fond of this single white form and the way its flowers catch the sunlight as they hover above developing perennials. The single forms make better garden plants than the fat, double forms, as they are less likely to flounder in wet, windy weather and look more comfortable in a garden setting. Sow plants under glass in February, prick out into plugs, then plant out direct from the plugs in late March.

Height 1.2m. Origin Garden origin. Conditions Any garden soil; full sun. Hardiness RHS H7. Season Summer.