*Designated an invasive species in the following states, no sale: WV
Rising from the garden bed with a softness that belies its presence, Papaver somniferum ‘Cherry Glow’ stands as a meditation on contrast - vivid yet ephemeral, bold yet fragile. In bloom, it commands attention. The flowers unfurl in shades of rich cherry red, their petals thin as silk and catching the light with every movement of air. Set atop sturdy stems and framed by blue-green, softly lobed foliage, Cherry Glow brings a sense of drama and refinement to sunny borders and open spaces.
Like other poppies, Cherry Glow thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, favoring conditions that echo its Mediterranean origins. As the blooms mature, they give way to distinctive seed pods - sculptural forms that extend the plant’s visual interest well beyond flowering. Bees and other pollinators are drawn to the open, pollen-rich centers, making the plant both ornamental and ecologically supportive during its bloom period.
The poppy has carried deep symbolic meaning across cultures and centuries. Long associated with sleep, dreams, and remembrance, Papaver somniferum has appeared in art, myth, and ritual as a plant of altered states and quiet passage. In ancient traditions, poppies were linked to cycles of rest and renewal, their fleeting blooms serving as reminders of impermanence and transformation. The delicate petals, easily scattered by wind or rain, reinforced the idea that beauty is often brief and all the more precious for it.
Also called Breadseed Poppy this species of beautiful poppy is the plant from which poppy seeds are derived. Poppies have become a valuable ornamental plant, grown in gardens where subspecies range in color. A beautiful large seed pod is produced after blooming that can be added to art projects and dried arrangements.
Likely native to the eastern Mediterranean, this has been obscured by ancient introductions and cultivation across cultures. Today Papaver somniferum has naturalized across much of Europe and Asia. Papaver somniferum L. once had importance as a plant based natural pain reliever from times dating back to early civilization. The powerful pain-relieving properties are described in various texts of Unani and Ayurvedic medical systems.
This poppy is grown today as an agricultural crop on a large scale to produce seeds that are eaten by humans. It is also grown for use mainly by the pharmaceutical industry whom also grows this plant to produce other alkaloids, mainly thebaine and oripavine, that are processed into drugs such as hydrocodone and oxycodone.
In the garden, this beauty blooms early in the season providing vital forage for bees in early spring when other flowers have yet to bloom. Poppies are worth mass planting and will yield outstanding flowers that are stunning and unlike any other bloom in the garden.