Poppy 'Lauren's Grape' Seeds

'Lauren's Grape' is widely considered one of the most beautiful poppies in existence. It produces large, single, bowl-shaped flowers in a sensational shade of deep, antique plum-purple with a dark, inky centre. The petals have a silky, satin sheen that catches the light, making the purple glow against the cool, blue-green foliage.

This is a sophisticated flower for the discerning gardener. It doesn't shout like the bright red field poppies; instead, it adds a depth and richness to the border that looks expensive and curated. It is also a "Breadseed" variety, meaning once the petals fall, you get beautiful, shaker-style seed pods filled with edible seeds.

Why Your Garden Needs 'Lauren's Grape'

We love this plant for its architectural seed heads. While the flowers are fleeting (lasting a few days), the large, barrel-shaped, blue-green pods stand for weeks. They are magnificent in the border and are highly prized by florists for dried winter arrangements.

It is also the perfect colour anchor. The dark violet-plum shade acts as a "full stop" in a pastel border, preventing it from looking too washed out. It creates a stunning contrast when planted alongside silver foliage or lime-green flowers.

Understanding the Plant: What is a Hardy Annual?

This is a vigorous Hardy Annual.

It completes its life cycle in one season.
The Strategy: Like all Papaver somniferum varieties, it puts down a deep taproot instantly. This makes it drought tolerant but means it hates being transplanted. You must sow it where you want it to bloom.
Top Tip: Sow in autumn for the biggest plants! Autumn-sown seedlings establish a root system over winter and will be twice the size of spring-sown plants by the time they flower.

Growing Guide: How to Sow and Grow

Success with poppies comes down to two things: timing and thinning.

🌱 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 thrive in average, well-drained soil. If you have very heavy clay, mix in some grit or sand before sowing to help the taproots get down deep.

Care While Growing:
You must thin them out! This is the step most people skip. When seedlings are small, remove them so they are 30cm apart. If you leave them crowded, you will get tiny, weak plants with tiny flowers. Give them space to become majestic!

Plant Specifications

Here is a quick reference guide to the key features.

My Recommended Garden Companions

The deep purple of 'Lauren's Grape' needs fresh, light partners to stop the border looking too dark:

• ❄️ Ammi Majus (Queen Anne's Lace): The ultimate florist's pairing. The flat, white, lacy heads of the Ammi provide a stunning textural contrast to the heavy, smooth cups of the Poppy. The white brings out the depth of the purple perfectly.
• 🍋 Larkspur 'Limelight Mix': For a cool, fresh look. The greenish-white spikes of the 'Limelight' Larkspur provide a fresh, zesty backdrop that makes the dark plum poppy look incredibly rich and velvety.

📅 Sowing & Flowering Calendar

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

(↔️ Swipe chart to see all months)