Papaver somniferum paeoniiflorum 'Paeony Scarlet' / Opium Poppy / Seeds

Sow in spring or autumn directly onto the surface of cultivated soil and rake over lightly.  Sow in patterns, such as a cross or circle, so you can identify and remove weed seedlings. Thin directly sown seedlings to about 15cm apart. Or sow in early spring on the surface of plugs or cells of seed compost and keep at room temperature.  Germination takes 10-30 days.  Plant out into the garden after the last frost, disturbing the roots as little as possible.  

Plants grow, flower and then die in the same year.  Once established, plants need little care and attention.  The plants form attractive seedheads after flowering, which look good on plants overwinter.  Scatter seeds into the garden in autumn/winter if you want plants to self-seed, although they may flower in different colours in subsequent years.   Remove seedheads before they mature in late summer if you do not want plants to self-seed.  Remove plants in autumn/winter and sow again in autumn or spring.