poppies, PLEASE

Poppies are one of those flowers that are so finely put together, they don’t even seem real. The papery petals of their often-large yet always delicate flowers last only briefly. Although they resist being cut and brought indoors, poppies continually elicit enthusiastic reactions.

Part of poppies’ appeal is their range of color. They bloom in brilliant reds and oranges to the softest pastels, so you can always find a variety that suits your botanical palette. But the most wonderful aspect of poppies, be they annual or perennial, is their ease of care.

Poppies make a large, illustrious collection with striking examples like the Himalayan blue poppy (; USDA Zones 3–9) and the prickly poppy (; Zones 8–10), whose flowers sometimes resemble a fried egg. Most home gardeners focus on the group, with the native California poppy (; Zones 8–10) an added favorite. Even sticking within this realm, the annual and perennial options provide an astounding array of colors and bloom times for an impressive display.