Black Beauty Poppy is a stunning cultivar of Papaver somniferum prized for its rich, dark blooms that appear in both single and double forms. Hardy from zones 2 to 11, this poppy reaches a compact 32 inches tall and flowers around 80 days from sowing, making it reliable for gardeners across most of North America. Seed it outdoors in early spring or winter sow for late spring and early summer blooms that prefer the cooler temperatures poppies love.
Full Sun
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2-11
32in H x ?in W
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Low
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The rich color and abundance of both single and double-form flowers make Black Beauty a standout in any garden. Originally selected from a breadseed poppy mix because the combination was simply too irresistible to keep hidden as part of a blend, this variety offers the full visual drama of ornamental poppies in a single packet. Its frost tolerance and ability to thrive in zones 2 through 11 means gardeners everywhere can grow it, from the coldest northern climates to warm southern regions.
Black Beauty Poppy is grown as an ornamental flower, valued for its dramatic blooms that bring visual interest to garden beds and cutting gardens. The distinctive single and double forms provide variety in flower structure and texture throughout the blooming period.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Seed outdoors as soon as the soil can be worked in early spring for the best results and longest blooming window. For optimal germination, sow when soil temperatures are between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Winter sowing is highly recommended as an alternative, giving seeds a natural cold period that mimics their preferred growing conditions.
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“Black Beauty emerged from Hudson Valley Seed's breadseed poppy collection, where it caught the attention of seed savers for its striking color and exceptional flower form. Rather than remain buried in a multi-variety mix, this cultivar was selected and offered as a standalone variety because its rich appearance and the consistent presence of both single and double blooms were simply too beautiful to overlook. It represents the kind of careful curation that happens when seed companies pay attention to what gardeners actually fall in love with.”