After years of apartment living, I moved into my house in 1986 and discovered a passion for gardening.  I’d admired vibrant, showy poppies in other people’s flowerbeds but despite my efforts to grow them from seed I never had any luck.

A few years ago I was visiting my step-daughter and admiring her poppies, in full bloom by the front porch.  Upon closer inspection of the green base of the plants I realized that I had been growing poppies every year – and pulling them out as they looked like big prickly weeds.  The poor things had never had a chance.

Armed with knowledge (and a lack of patience) I dispensed with the idea of starting them from seeds that summer and headed to my local nursery.  I bought the three colors shown below – red, pink and peach and they have been exceptional every year.  There is something both bold and delicate about them and for sure there is a “pop” of color from these tall beauties gracing my gardens.

That same day I purchased Alpine Poppies. Tiny and delicate, this petite poppy is also incredibly durable and it’s tiny seeds must scatter everywhere evidenced by the number of them that have sprung up in between pavers and patio bricks, sidewalk cracks and along my fence.  They even survived, in fact thrived, when our driveway was paved last year.  My rule – if it’s a flower, let it bloom regardless of where it pops up.