Breadseed Poppy

Planted at Mount Vernon

Upper Garden

Hardiness Zones

Average annual extreme minimum temperature 1976-2005

This elegant annual forms an attractive seedhead after blooming and is ideal for the middle of the border in the spring garden. It self-sows reliably, but does not transplant well.

Latin Name

Papaver somniferum

Family

Papaveraceae

Also Known As

Lettuce-leaf Poppy

Type of Plant

Annuals

Bloom Season

May - June

Seasons

Spring

Specifications

Max Height: 3'

Max Spread: 2'

Uses

Annual

Flower Border

Sunlight Exposure

Full Sun

Part Shade

Colors

Native Range

Eastern Mediterranean

History

Historically, this plant has been used for cooking and medicinal purposes. Brother August Schubert of Bethabara was growing breadseed poppies in 1761.

Other Details

Pollinator

Bartlett Tree Expert Company has been working with Mount Vernon Estate since 2011 providing expert arboricultural care and GPS mapping for the estate’s historic trees, as well as support from their research facility. Mount Vernon is proud to partner with Bartlett Tree Experts and appreciates their sponsorship of George Washington’s Mount Vernon Plant Finder App.

Bring Washington's Garden Home

Purchase our historic seeds, collected from plants grown at Mount Vernon and plant them in your own garden.

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