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Re: Opium poppies


---------------------- Forwarded by Susan George/DTF/VICGOV/AU on 02/06/98
10:43 AM ---------------------------
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Susan George
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02/06/98 10:36 AM
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To:   medit-plants@ucdavid.edu
cc:
Subject:  Re: Opium poppies  (Document link not converted)

Yes I also grow opium poppies - although I must admit that I generally
introduce them to garden visitors as peony poppies (cowardly I know)! Some
of the colours are just sensational. I have a black/red peony form
flowering at the moment that is very eye catching. Mostly I grow them in
the back garden - but earlier this season a good dark purple peony form
came up by itself in the front in a very prominent position. I considered
whether to pull it out or not  - but decided that the chance of good seeds
was too tempting.

I think that they are probably still technically not quite legal here. In
1995 (? or was it 96) one large Victorian Nursery had all of its stock
confiscated, but after a furore in the local press the Victorian Police
indicated that they would review the situation. I haven't heard anything
further - but the reality is that it is commonly grown in both public and
private gardens (including some very prominent and upstanding citizens and
organisations) and is readily available for sale commercially.

As far as my own front yard poppy was concerned - nobody stole it (I
haven't heard of that happening before - perhaps I lead a sheltered life)
but it elicited many 'ooh aah' comments from neighbours (most of whom I
suspect has no idea what it really was - and I didn't spoil their enjoyment
with the facts!)

Susan

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