Violetta Blush Poppy, Full Purple Blooms, Breadseed Poppy

The Violetta Blush is a testament to the power of the home garden as a sanctuary for rare genetics.

• A Family Tribute: Named to honor "Aunt Violetta," this poppy was found growing in her garden and carefully saved for its distinct, soft-hued beauty. It has since become a cherished selection among seed savers who value varieties with a genuine connection to history.
• A Timeless Species: While the species Papaver somniferum has been cultivated for thousands of years across Europe, North Africa, and Central Asia for its culinary seeds, the Violetta Blush is a modern, open-pollinated cultivar that perfectly captures the "cottage garden" aesthetic of the past.

Violetta Blush is defined by its gentle color palette and incredibly intricate, full-petaled structure.

• The Blooms: The flowers are fully double, with layer upon layer of ruffled petals. The color is a soothing, sophisticated blend of soft lavender-pink with a delicate blush, often described as a dusty rosy-lilac. It provides a dreamy, cooling effect when paired with brighter garden flowers.
• The Habit: Reaching a compact 30 inches tall, this poppy is easy to integrate into existing garden beds, meadow mixes, or borders. It forms neat, clumping rosettes of blue-green foliage before sending up its elegant, flowering stalks.
• The Experience: These poppies are pollinator-friendly, acting as a beacon for early-season bees seeking nectar in the cool, crisp days of late spring.

Violetta Blush is an easy-to-grow annual that thrives in the temperate conditions of spring. It is frost-tolerant and highly adaptable, making it a reliable performer for beginning and experienced gardeners alike.

"Violetta Blush is a garden 'sweetheart.' We love it because the color is so incredibly unique—it’s that perfect, dusty lilac shade that looks beautiful against stone paths or paired with blue flowers. It’s a wonderful reminder that some of the best flowers in the world aren't found in giant nurseries, but in the gardens of people who loved them enough to save the seeds."

• Sowing: Direct-sow seeds in early spring as soon as the soil is workable. These seeds need light to germinate; simply scatter them over the surface and press them firmly into the soil. They also need a cold period. Plant in late fall to early spring. 
• Cold-Hardy: Don't worry about late-season light frosts; this poppy is built for the cool spring weather and will thrive when other annuals are just starting to wake up.
• Harvesting: Enjoy them as fresh-cut flowers by snipping the stems when the buds are just beginning to "nod" and crack open. The resulting petals are like delicate, ruffled silk in a vase.