Re: Poppies
- Subject: Re: Poppies
- From: E*@aol.com
- Date: Mon, 14 Oct 2002 16:49:15 EDT
In a message dated 10/14/02 1:28:03 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
mygarden@easystreet.com writes:
> I spent a fair amount of time yesterday checking online seed catalogs and
> found only one source - Select Seeds - sold out of course. Hopefully they
> will have it again in their 2003 catalog. I am very smitten by the color
> of
> Lauren's Grape. I hope it really is grape color & not lavender which I
> already have.
The color is not lavender, it is a deeper grape purple tone and quite
striking in the blue foliage. I have been hoping to raise a sufficient crop
to collect seed. It would seem as it is sparse on the co-op seed lists,that
it does not produce the large seed filled heads of the other opium strains.
There is always the posibility that it will do better in the west than here
in the cold and often wet east.
I am not certain of cross polliation in opium poppies so am trying to keep
mine separate to keep colors from all ending up shades of pink with dark
center blotches.
Marilyn, if it turns up on the Nargs list, I will order it for you. I get to
order twenty five packets of seed for membership and never need that many.
If I ever get enough to send to friends, I will post it. Since the Springer
book, this poppy has been discussed with no major seed company raising it for
sales.
I have an affection for Lauren Springer's first book, it is from a hands-on
gardener who is speaking from studied experience. When first published it
was criticized for advocating plants not easily found but in the last few
years, you can find all of them in catalogs and some right in your garden
center. It is one of those books you return to from time to time.
Anybody on HGTV yesterday afternoon got to see the Tony Avent Garden on a
program called "Winter Garden". I had not seen this program before so it
was a surprise. Maybe it will be repeated in you area.
Claire Peplowski
NYS z4
Some growers have heirloom opiums poppies with unusual colors. Over on eBay
they seem to think they are selling some contraband and have huge prices.
From the amount we can collect on the pinks and whites, we have quart Mason
jars full of them if someone applies themselves to seed collecting.
I have always found reds, doubles, and two-toned petals more difficult to
keep self seeding and returning. The ordinary nearly species pink is winner
seen all over New England which does not have the kindest of climates.
Claire Peplowski
NYS z4
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