Papaver paeoniflorum Lilac Pompom

The Papaver paeoniflorum 'Lilac Pompom' is a glamorous annual poppy, with its large, frilly, peony-like flowers in a lilac pink. Each flower has many finely cut petals, giving it a unique and delicate beauty. They bloom in summer at the top of tall, sturdy stems emerging from abundant foliage, which is ornamental with its bluish-green silver colour. The flowers are followed by decorative fruits filled with seeds. This variety can be sown directly in the ground in mild regions in spring or early autumn. It will easily self-seed in light soil, in full sun. 

The annual 'Lilac Pompom' is a horticultural variety classified as an opium poppy with peony-like flowers of the Laciniata type. All poppies belong to the Papaveraceae family. 'Lilac Pompom' is derived from the closely related Papaver "paeoniflorum", which is closely related to P. somniferum. The latter can be found in the Asian mountains and in Europe on the limestone terrains frequented by poppies. This plant, probably native to the Mediterranean and Asia Minor regions, has given rise to many long-cultivated varieties for ornamental purposes. 'Lilac Pompom' has magnificent glaucous foliage, with beautiful lobed and elliptical leaves showing a notched edge. From this 30 to 45 cm (12 to 18in) wide clump of vegetation, from June to August, tall stems emerge, bearing seductive solitary flowers at a height of 80-90 cm (32-35in) from the ground. They are double, spherical, formed by frayed petals, similar to a tattered petticoat. The heart of the flower is almost invisible. The flowering, attractive to pollinators, gives way to a characteristic fruit filled with tiny black seeds, very ornamental, which takes on a slate blue hue when drying, changing with the light due to the crystallised wax film that protects it. Opium poppies have a taproot that does not tolerate transplanting well, so it is better to sow them in place. They are hardy annual plants, and early autumn sowings can withstand not-too-harsh winters. In this case, flowering is earlier in spring. 

Comfortable in sophisticated or romantic gardens, in cottage gardens and gardens without gardeners, opium poppies allow for quickly and effortlessly creating seas of infinitely delicate flowers, with their vibrant, dark or pastel colours dancing on the foam of their foliage. Scatter the seeds on well-prepared soil among other plants, along borders or in flowerbeds. While not very long-lasting in bouquets, the 'Lilac Pompom' Poppy flowers are incredibly charming when planted in mass plantings, with large daisies, among the moving foliage of grasses, or even with landscape roses. This annual plant, like cosmos, has no equivalent for filling in empty spaces, among other annuals or late-flowering perennials such as tall asters, which take over in full sun.

Once the flowering is over, there are the precious fruits for dried bouquets and the poppy straw in slightly wild areas, often seen as a majestic element of the garden or a somewhat enigmatic remnant of summer.