Papaver is a genus of 70 to 100 species of frost-tolerant annuals, biennials, and perennials native to temperate and cold regions of Eurasia, Africa and North America. It is the type genus of the poppy family, Papaveraceae.

For an easily grown splash of colour, few flowers can equal the Poppies with their flowers produced in profusion throughout the summer. Sow and forget. Whilst not being quite black, the silky, fully double blooms of the Black Peony Poppy are of the deepest burgundy and are sufficiently dark to get one’s attention. This is a very rewarding frost hardy annual, well worth a try!