Poppies Lilac

Lilac Poppies – Striking Ornamental & Dried Flower with Elegant Seed Pods

Botanical Name: Papaver somniferum (Ornamental Poppy)
Common Name: Lilac Poppy, Opium Poppy (ornamental)
Annual | Ornamental & Dried Flower | Grown from Seed

These beautiful lilac-colored poppies captivate with their delicate pastel blooms and iconic large, rounded seed pods—highly prized for dried flower arrangements and crafts. Their soft purple-lilac petals provide a gentle splash of colour in garden beds, while the seed pods develop into sculptural pods that can be harvested and dried for lasting floral displays.

Ideal for Irish temperate gardens, these poppies grow well from seed sown directly outdoors or started indoors early. Their ease of growth, striking colours, and dual-purpose flowers and seed pods make them a favourite among gardeners and floral artists alike.
? Horticultural Highlights:

Growth Habit: Annual, erect stems 60–90 cm tall

Flowers: Soft lilac to pale purple, papery petals

Seed Pods: Large, rounded, ornamental pods valued for drying

Flowering Time: Late spring to mid-summer

Uses: Ornamental garden display, dried flower arrangements, seed saving

? Growing Instructions (Seed Propagation – Irish Conditions):

Sowing Time:

    Direct Sow: March–April outdoors once soil is workable

    Indoors: February for transplanting

Sowing Method: Scatter or sow thinly; cover lightly with soil

Spacing: Thin seedlings to 20–30 cm apart

Soil: Well-drained, moderately fertile soil

Light: Full sun preferred for best flowering

Care: Low maintenance; avoid overwatering once established

Harvest: Cut seed pods when dry and brown on the plant for long-lasting dried flowers

? Historical & Cultural Significance:

Poppies have long been symbolic in many cultures, associated with remembrance and peace. The ornamental lilac poppies are especially valued for their unique colour and seed pods, which feature prominently in traditional dried flower crafts. Their striking appearance has made them a favourite in cottage gardens and floral art for centuries, blending beauty and utility in one stunning package.