Poppy 'Lilac Pom Pom' Seeds

If you find standard poppies a bit too fleeting, meet the 'Lilac Pom Pom'. This spectacular variety produces massive, fully double flower heads packed with fringed, laciniated petals. The result is a shaggy, spherical bloom that looks more like a peony than a poppy, coloured in a dreamy, soft lavender-lilac.

This is a plant of pure romance. The heavy, nodding heads sit atop tall, elegant stems with architectural blue-grey foliage. It brings a soft, vintage aesthetic to the garden and looks absolutely incredible when swaying in a summer breeze alongside white lace flowers.

Why Your Garden Needs 'Lilac Pom Pom'

We love this plant because it provides a "luxury look" for the price of a packet of seeds. Peonies take years to establish; this poppy gives you that same opulent, ruffled look in just a few months. It is perfect for filling gaps in herbaceous borders with high-impact colour.

It is also a dual-purpose harvest. Enjoy the frothy flowers in July, and then harvest the large, blue-green seed pods in late August. They are magnificent for dried winter arrangements and are filled with edible seeds for baking.

Understanding the Plant: What is a Hardy Annual?

This is a vigorous Hardy Annual.

It grows, flowers, and sets seed in one season.
The Golden Rule: Like all *Papaver somniferum* varieties, it has a taproot and **hates being transplanted**. You must sow the seeds directly into the soil where they are to bloom.
Top Tip: Sow in autumn for "Super Poppies." Autumn-sown plants establish a strong root system over winter and will grow much taller and flower earlier than those sown in spring.

Growing Guide: How to Sow and Grow

This is a low-effort plant that thrives in cool conditions.

🌱 Germination:
Sow directly outdoors from September to November, or in early Spring (March-April). Scatter the tiny seeds on the surface of finely raked soil. **Do not cover them**—they need light to germinate. Germination takes 10-21 days.

Where to Sow:
They demand full sun. They prefer average to poor soil that is well-drained. If the soil is too rich in nitrogen, you will get lots of leaves but the heavy flower heads might flop over.

Care While Growing:
Thinning is non-negotiable. You must thin the seedlings to about 30cm apart. If you leave them crowded, they will be stunted and weak. Give them space, and they will reward you with huge, multi-headed stems.

Plant Specifications

Here is a quick reference guide to the key features.

My Recommended Garden Companions

The soft lilac of this poppy needs companions that enhance its pastel, romantic vibe:

• 🏰 Larkspur 'Giant Hyacinth Mixed': Perfect structural contrast. The vertical, dense spikes of the Larkspur provide a strong backbone to the border, while the round, fluffy heads of the Poppy bob around them in complementary pastel shades.
• ❄️ Ammi Majus (Queen Anne's Lace): Create a florist's meadow. The flat, white lacy heads of Ammi Majus break up the heaviness of the double poppy blooms, creating a light, airy, and sophisticated planting scheme.

📅 Sowing & Flowering Calendar

Sow directly outdoors in autumn or early spring for summer blooms.

(↔️ Swipe chart to see all months)