Like many things in life, the most spectacular and awe inspiring moments in the garden are often short lived. Think of 4th of July fireworks, the dance recital and the emergence of poppies! Developing poppies are at best tolerable, at worst, downright hideous. Everyone who looks at the hairy green flower buds can’t help commenting about their likeness to the male anatomy or are convinced that The Invasion of the Body Snatchers must have been a documentary. 
And, unless you are a seasoned poppy grower, you would inevitably pluck them out in the spring, certain that you just eradicated an invasive weed. And then, after what seems like mere moments after flowering, the blooms fade, leaving swelling poppy fruit, and pointy, withering, foliage, that dies out completely, in the middle of the season, leaving a wilted, brown, mushy mess.
So, why bother with this plant at all? Because once you get your first hit of poppies, you are addicted!
Poppies in bloom are spectacular. Granted, a bed of poppies would not be a grand idea. Their peak is too short lived, and its pre and post blooms are quite unattractive BUT in a perennial bed or added to a prairie mix for a green belt, they can literally MAKE your garden. These are Kodak moments. Grab your cameras, take pics from every angle, and when you talk gardens with other people, pull out your poppy poses and you’ll gain immediate admiration!
Okay, truth be told, despite what I said above, I enjoy watching the whole poppy process. I find them fascinating! I’ve been know to stroke a swollen flower bud, and shake the flower’s fruit after its dried when the the seeds rolling around sound like miniature maracas! I also turn totally Miss Rumphius, scattering poppy seeds hither and yon, hoping to share their beauty with untold others! (For those familiar with Miss Rumphius, I know she was a lupine freak, but same premise!) So, if you haven’t introduced poppies into your garden, I highly recommend them. Tuck plants here and there, they’ll come back year after year! Just remember NOT to weed them out in the spring, when they look like unwanted thistle plants!
What a lovely garden retreat. Perfect place to unwind, drink tea and read a good book.
Have a most lovely weekend Kimara!
I am a poppy fan too. I am heartbroken this year because the day my poppies opened, it started raining and has rain for almost a week. Their paper thin petals have been pummeled and I’m afraid they will all be destroyed before it dries out! What a lovely little sitting area. Your garden looks so inviting.