Poppy Hungarian Blue

Papaver somniferum 'Hungarian Blue' Hungarian Blue Breadseed Poppy 'Hungarian Blue'

Tall elegant stems carrying large single violet-purple bowl-shaped flowers against beautiful silver-blue glaucous foliage — followed by large fat seed pods packed with edible slate-blue "breadseed" poppy seeds. 'Hungarian Blue' is the definitive dual-purpose cottage poppy: simultaneously a stunning ornamental and the seed source for genuinely outstanding home-baked poppyseed bread, lemon-poppyseed cakes and bagel toppings.

This is the breadseed poppy par excellence — the variety that has been grown for centuries in Hungary and across Central Europe specifically for its exceptional culinary seeds, while also being one of the most refined large-flowered cottage garden Papaver somniferum varieties. The flowers are large single bowls (8–10cm across) in a clear violet-purple shade that reads beautifully against the characteristic silver-blue glaucous foliage that all somniferum varieties share. Tall elegant stems reach 75–100cm, carrying the flowers high above the foliage so they read clearly across the cottage border. After the petals fall, the seed pods are exceptionally large — fat fully-rounded pepper-pot heads that contain hundreds of the slate-blue seeds prized for baking. Hardy annual (H5). Height 75–100cm. RHS Plants for Pollinators.

The dual-purpose value: 'Hungarian Blue' is the variety to grow if you want to combine ornamental cottage beauty with practical kitchen value. The seeds are exactly the "blue poppy seeds" sold in supermarkets for baking — but home-grown seeds are significantly fresher and produce dramatically better flavour in finished baked goods.

A note on growing

Like all poppies, has a sensitive taproot — must be direct-sown where it is to flower. Autumn sowing (September–October) is recommended — natural cold stratification over winter produces stronger earlier-flowering plants the following year. Spring sowing (March–May) also works.

Rake soil to fine tilth. Scatter seeds thinly on the surface (do not cover — seeds need light to germinate). Press firmly into soil. Germination 14–21 days. Full sun, well-drained soil. Don't feed. Thin to 30cm spacing for the largest flowers and biggest seed pods.

Harvesting the seeds: leave the seed pods on the plant until completely dry and brown (usually August–September). At this stage, gently shake or upend the pods — the small "windows" near the top of the pod open as it ripens, and the seeds shake out cleanly. Each pod typically contains several hundred seeds. Store seeds in airtight containers in a cool dark place; they keep for many months.

⚠️ Important toxicity note: only the fully-dried mature seeds are food-safe — green pods, leaves, and immature seeds are toxic. Wait for full pod ripening before harvesting. Wear gloves when handling green plant material.

Where it shines

In the cottage kitchen garden as the perfect ornamental-and-edible plant — pair productive culinary value with proper cottage flower beauty in a single plant. In ornamental cottage borders, where the violet-purple bowls and silver foliage look properly refined. As an architectural autumn seed-pod plant — the large pepper-pot heads are exceptional in dried arrangements and dramatically architectural in the autumn border. In any cottage garden where the gardener is also a baker.

Plant alongside

For an all-Papaver somniferum cottage scheme, combine 'Hungarian Blue' with Poppy 'Black Peony' (matching height; deep velvet maroon contrast), Poppy 'Lauren's Grape' (similar silver foliage; deeper purple flowers) and Poppy 'Lilac PomPom' (lavender doubles). For a productive ornamental kitchen border, pair with Nigella 'Miss Jekyll Mixed' (matching cottage palette; the Nigella seeds are also edible Kalonji) and Cornflower 'Blue Ball'.

Delivery

The seeds will be dispatched direct to you by Bishy Barnabees. Please allow up to 5 days for delivery.

Delivery:

Delivery to mainland UK is calculated at checkout. For all other areas and large orders please ask for a quote. Orders will be sent by express next day delivery (DPD). They will be dispatched on a next working day service, with the exception of Ireland where it may take two days. Please allow up to 48 hours for delivery in the UK as the couriers may have already been and collected on the day you send your order in. Smaller orders for pouches, pockets, bags and pots may be sent via Royal Mail delivery. Please ensure you supply an email address and a mobile so you can be updated about your delivery. Should you have any problems with your delivery, please contact us at sales@naturalgrower.co.uk.

Special Deliveries

Saturday or weekday morning deliveries can be arranged, but there will be a surcharge. Please contact us to request a price for either of these delivery services. If you need a parcel sending outside of the UK, please contact us for a quote.

Returns:

If you are not completely happy with any product that you have ordered from us, you may return it to us in its original condition any time within 14 calendar days from the date of dispatch. Products must be returned in their original condition. Please contact us at sales@naturalgrower.co.uk to arrange a return. If you return a product by post, you will need to pay the costs of returning the product to us and obtain proof of posting.