April 29th, 2010
Papaver ‘Lauren’s Grape’

Papaver Laurens Grape
2010-04-29. Three Lauren’s Grape poppies opened today.

I was so happy when three ‘Lauren’s Grape’ poppies opened today. They are just the deep plummy color I hoped for. You can see the color better in the distant shot, especially compared to the blue/violet of the larkspur. ‘Lauren’s Grape’ is not the slightest bit magenta, or pink. It is not even the purple of the Louisiana iris ‘Full Eclipse’.

I cannot get the color to register correctly in the close-up.

Papaver Laurens Grape
2010-04-29. The color is very deep plum which doesn’t show true in the closeup photo.

The only downside is that today the wind was very gusty and it blew all the petals off the three flowers in about six hours. The nearby ‘Dorothy Cavenaugh’ poppies which had been open longer were not affected. It would be a pity after all the months growing ‘Lauren’s Grape’ to have them last less than a day. I hope some more will open tomorrow and last a bit longer. I want to plant a lot more of them next year…but they have to last more than a day in the garden.

Papaver Laurens Grape
2010-05-02. ‘Lauren’s Grape’ poppies on a cloudy morning at about 8:30.

Garden History

2010-11-26. Sow in the same place.
2011-11-24. Sow in the same place.

by M Sinclair Stevens

9 Responses to post “Papaver ‘Lauren’s Grape’”

  1. From Diana:

    I see that rich color in the other photo though. It stands out because it is so striking. Provides wonderful contrast to the surrounding bloomers, too.

  2. From Lori, Austin TX:

    Gorgeous! I need to order some for next year. I thought I’d gotten pink poppies this year, but they’re all opening a terrible garish shade of orange. Thank god the roses are almost done blooming, or the clashing would’ve led me to rip them all out before my eyes started to bleed.

    These dark poppies are so you. I have the orange ones, too (as you can see in the top photo). I didn’t like them last year but like them more this year. I think they’re blooming with a different set of colors here this year but I can’t imagine them with you delicate pink roses. As for ordering them, I think you can find them at Central Market at the Botanical Interests seed display. — mss

  3. From Marci:

    Love, love, love that color–they’re the real deal!

  4. From Annie in Austin:

    Annual poppies are a plant I admire but apparently can’t grow. This year my plot to beat past history by buying an assortment of started poppy plants from NG came to naught when only 2 of the plants bloomed.

    Now this lovely ‘Lauren’s Grape’ makes me want to try again, MSS. I can see why you wanted the color – and why Lori needs it, too!

    Annie at the Transplantable Rose

  5. From Mr. McGregor's Daughter:

    That’s a great color, but I’m thinking I’m going to stick with the black Peony-flowered Poppy, as its blooms last quite well.

    That sounds lovely. What variety is it? –mss

  6. From Linda Lehmusvirta Austin:

    It is gorgeous! Who cares if it lasts but a day? It’s worth it. And once your collection grows, you’ll have continuous color. And, it’s interesting that it opens late. Keeps the fun going.

  7. From Tina Poe:

    Lovely color paired with their delicate nature!

  8. From Jenny Austin:

    I love it. I am sure this is the same one that has appeared in my garden this year. Don’t know where it came from but I love it and would like more. it is just a mystery how new flowers appear. I hope it comes back again next year and if not I may sneak into your garden after midnight!

  9. From angelina:

    I have always loved poppies but I never had anything but CA poppies before (which I love) until I moved here to OR. Now I have a gorgeous mix of doubles and singles, lights and darks, short and tall. I can see why Dorothy wanted to lay in a field of them. Who cares about sleeping…but to see nothing but miles of poppies in bloom would be spectacular.

    One surmises that L. Frank Baum would not be able to put in the poppy-field scene had he written “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” in 2010 rather than 1900. In those days the soporific effect of opium poppies was common knowledge not requiring a parental warning label for “some drug-related scenes”. — mss