Description

Rattle Poppy is highly sought after for its ornamental seed pods, which are unusually large (2-3″ wide) and round. Unlike most poppy pods, Rattle Poppy has been bred to keep its seeds encased so that when shaken, it makes a rattling sound. With the distinctive disc on top of its head like a crown, this is one unique looking seed pod that never fails to inspire wonder and amazement. Rattle poppy pods are eye-catching standing alone in a vase or incorporated into a wreath. Living up to its name, you can also use these as natural rattles for kids.

Poppies are self-fertile and pollinated by bees, which means they cross very readily with others of the same species. I’m not usually the kind of gardener who grows just one variety of a particular flower, but I make an exception for Rattle Poppy!

Details

Lifecycle: Annual
Hardiness zones: 3 – 9 (USDA)
Habitats: Cultivated gardens
Plant size: 2 – 3 ft
Light: Full sun
Soil: Well draining, poor soil
Water: Drought tolerant
Seeds per packet: 300 seeds

Seed Starting

Direct sow in fall or spring. Do not transplant. Scatter seeds and lightly rake in. Thin seedlings to 8-10″ a part.

Cultivation

Rattle poppies are hardy, drought tolerant, deer resistant plants. They like a lot of sun and well draining soil. Poppies flower early in the summer and then form pods during the hottest months, requiring minimal watering once pods are dried.

Harvest

When collecting poppy seed pods, a common mistake is to harvest them too early when they are still green and not yet fully ripe. This causes them to shrivel during drying and turn a grayish purple color. It’s best to wait for for the pods to dry on the stalk and turn light beige. You can tell it’s ready when you shake the pods and hear a rattling sound of the seeds inside. Rattle Poppies have edible seeds and you can use the ripened blue seeds for baking and cooking.

Propagation

Poppies are best propagated by seed. Because rattle poppies are bred for the seeds to stay enclosed in the seed pods rather than drop onto the ground, they do not reseed as easily as other poppies. To establish them, you will need to save the seeds and re-sow every year. Rattle poppies cross pollinate with other breadseed poppies (Papaver somniferum) so if you want the same rattle poppy traits, make sure they are isolated from other breadseed poppy varieties.

Seed Saving

Poppy seeds are some of the easiest seeds to save as the seeds are easy to identify and they don’t need much threshing or winnowing. Once the seed pods are completely dried, thresh by cutting the pods open with a knife and pour the seeds into a paper envelop. If very clean seeds are desired, for food for example, pick out small pieces of pods or screen with a fine mesh screen.