The Prettiest Poppies

Friday, June 30, 2023 | by Betsy Ekholm | Annuals, papaver rhoeas, papaver somniferum, peony poppy, poppies, shirley poppies, what's blooming, what's colorful

Poppies in Bloom at Blithewold’s Historic Gardens

Editor’s Note: This article has been updated with current visiting information for 2026

Every May and June, Blithewold’s gardens are overtaken by one of the most breathtaking floral displays of the year. Thousands of Shirley poppies and peony poppies fill the beds in a candy-store palette of pinks, reds, whites, and purples — their tissue-paper-thin petals catching the light in a way that no other flower quite manages.

The Shirley poppy (Papaver rhoeas) is the star of the show. Our horticulture team begins sowing seeds in December and January, nurturing each seedling through the winter in our greenhouses before planting them out in April. The result is a carefully choreographed display of color that peaks for a few glorious weeks in late May and early June. The blooms are fleeting — each flower lasting no more than a day or two — which makes seeing them in person all the more worthwhile.

Alongside the Shirley poppies, peony poppies (Papaver somniferum) add a different kind of drama. Our classic pink peony poppy appears throughout the gardens each summer, joined in recent years by stunning new cultivars including the showstopping ‘Lilac Peony’ in the Idea Garden.

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The pollinators know exactly when the poppies are in bloom. Honey bees, syrphid flies, and sweat bees descend on the display in a constant frenzy of activity — a reminder that what looks beautiful to us is also essential to the natural world around us.

Visiting Blithewold during poppy season means more than just the poppies. The Rose Garden, Water Garden, North Garden, and Idea Garden are all at or near peak bloom at the same time. The 33-acre grounds offer hours of exploration, with something new to discover around every corner.

Poppy season at Blithewold typically runs from late May through mid-June, depending on the weather each year. The display is included with general admission — no separate ticket required.