To most the word poppy conjures up a delicate scarlet petals encircling a round black center, in a field of poppies blowing in the wind. But like many other flowers the poppy is part of a large botanical family. How many would guess that poppy comes from a large botanical family of 28 genera and over 250 individual species of poppies. Most of these species are found in the Northern Hemisphere where they thrive in the temperate and sub tropical regions. A number of popular varieties have been specifically cultivated. Some examples are the Welsh poppy, the California poppy, the alpine poppy and the blue and Syrian tulip poppies. In its native form the poppy is a single bloom. In green houses horticulturist have been able to cultivate some specialty blooms. The double poppy blooms with ruffled and fringed petals a multitude of new color variations are some of the colors within the poppy family. The Oriental poppy is one of only a few poppies that are perennials. Although all of the poppies are very pleasing to behold the two that stand out in the poppy family as the most electrifying are the pink chiffon and the peony-flowered which are hybrids of the opium poppy.

The Latin names for the only two poppies that produce any significant amount of opium are the Papaver Somniferum and the Papaver Bracteatum. A number of hybrids have been derived from Papaver Bracteatum as it is a very decorative blossom.

A variety of shades of color are present within the opium poppy as well as the other varieties. Although white opium poppies are perhaps the most common they also have blooms in pink, crimson, pal purple and some lighter shades emerge from a deeper shade at the base of the petal.

The petals look like crushed tissue paper that fans out encircling a ring of antlers that are on top of what will become the poppy pod. The insect world fertilizes the poppies and guarantee next years poppies.

The blossom of the poppy is very short, lasting only about two to four days before the petals drop. The poppy pod is only about the size of a small berry at this time. Within a very short time the mature poppy pod will reach a diameter of 5 to 7.5 centimeters. Two distinct shapes will appear; one will be very round the other more elongated. Both will have a bluish gray green color and be slightly shiny. The stigmas rise from the small crown at the top of the poppy pod. A ring of petal base scars are evident where the poppy pod joins the peduncle.

In late summer into early fall, gardens are full of a variety of pods. The seed pod of the poppy like the other dried pods are next years blossoms. For this reason it is important to save a few pods of all varieties to replenish next years garden. The rest can be picked and dried for use in an endless variety of arrangements.

Harvest the poppy pods once they turn a buff gray. The pods will shrivel if picked before they reach maturity. Unlike the short life of the delicate poppy, the dried poppy pods have a very thick exterior and will last indefinitely under reasonable conditions.

After harvesting your poppy pods air-dry them. Two common methods used are wrapping the stems together in a bundle and hanging the poppy bundles perpendicular to avoid curved stems. A note of caution the poppy pods release thousands of seeds while drying so it is wise to place a container under the bundles. Poppy pods can also be dried upright in buckets. Some florists use the curved and twisted poppy stems to enrich their artistic arrangements. The poppy pods are used in an endless variety of ways to add texture, create form and animation in dried floral arrangements. Seed pods including dried poppy pods are often associated with fall arrangements but they are well suited for any seasonal display. Although there are many species with in genus, Papaver Somniferum is the most commonly used species for arranging.

The wide variety of arrangements a can meet almost every occasion. Wreaths are popular in all seasons. In the aromatic herb wreath the neutral shade of the dried field poppy pod helps bring out the stronger colors of the salvia borminum, marigold, marjoram and pink pepper berries. The field poppy pods commanding form and seem to enhance designs that use bold materials. Small delicate wreaths that incorporate the neutral tone of the miniature poppy pods to compliment the pale purple shade and delicate texture of lavender added to the base of a candle, can create a pleasing accent in any room. The neutral shade of the medium ovid shaped poppy pod act similarly to compliment a Christmas wreath by accenting the stronger colors of the winter berries and the green herbs.

In contrast the miniature dried poppy pods combined with the gypsophila make a more delicate arrangement in a vase. The tiny dried poppy pod is also used in the dried formal arrangements, which can be made by starting with a circle of blue cornflowers, lilac-colored hydrangeas and tiny poppy pods. Finish your arrangements by surrounding it with a ruff of lady’s mantle.

In a bouquet arrangement the larger round flowers that are used like the peonies, poppy pods and hydrangea are kept very short and are placed to face upward and towards the sides. A dramatic display can be made using the whitened branches of oriental paper bush that is used to captivate those who strive for elegant form in their arrangements. A knot is suggested at the bottom by positioning protea blooms over the branches of oriental paper bush. The twisted poppy stems circle around the blooms to distract from their bulky shapes.

Some florists like to group species together in a basket. In this style the poppy pod can be used to reflect the color of the cane and the light pink of the everlasting.

In recent years, floral composition with dired flowers has developed in new directions. Floral arrangers have worked to compliment stylish new décor in trendy apartments. Dried poppy pods are a popular choice to line the front edge of a line decoration that uses three main species worked in vertical lines at different heights. The container is often a simple box covered with fresh ivy leaves.

The Halloween arrangements use the large globular poppy pods as accent pieces. The poppy pods are sprayed orange white and black with flat or stain paint. Stencils are used to apply black cats, witches or even letters that spell haunting words like BOO and the of traditional pumpkin face. Place the decorated poppy pods throughout a tradition country bundle of hay, wheat, oregano catkins and other local fall flora.

The Sphere is used in many decorative ways. Dried poppy pods make an imposing sphere. Spheres can be the main focus in a dried flower tree, hung with ribbons or combined with other dried spheres in a bowl. When making the poppy sphere aware the poppy pods may be of different sizes. You should check carefully that the poppy pods irregularity does not alter the roundness of the poppy ball.

Poppy pod trees make excellent porch arrangements that never require any watering. Choose a medium size clay pot and fill it ¾ full of setting clay or topping cement. Stick the branch you have trimmed from a small bush in to the center of the pot. Glue a Styrofoam ball to the top of the branches and cover it with dried moss. Push the trimmed stems of the poppy pods into the dried moss to create an overall round shape. Add the moss around the base of your tree to create a finished look.

Another accent idea for Christmas decorating is to create a Christmas tree. Start by placing a Styrofoam cone in to a container that allows the cone to fit snugly in the container. The edge of the cone should meet the inner edge of the container. A pedestal base is very attractive. Work some scrunched 2” wire edged ribbon up the cone and then criss-crossed back down the cone. Push the stem of the one large poppy pod at the top and place other slightly smaller dried poppy pods around the cone. Use dried lavender to fill in the rest of the cone in sections removing the dried poppy pods to fill with the lavender and then replacing the poppy pods.

Another flowerpot idea is just as stunning but completely different. Start this eye-catching idea by finding a delicate low square pot of your liking and the pot could work with any seasonal project. Once you’ve found your pot pick out some similar sized dried poppy pods. Place some green florist sponge into the bottom of the pot. Take the poppy pods and cut off the stems a ¼ from the top of the poppy head. Once that is taken care of stick the poppies into the sponge in equal rows. To top off your beautiful poppy arrangement you could add some moss around the base of your poppy pod heads. This arrangement is especially attractive if you incorporate the dried flowers of the season you are working to represent. An example for a spring arrangement might use a ¼ dried roses, ¼ poppy pods, a ¼ hydrangea, and a ¼ pomegranate.

Looking for that exocentric design to be different from your neighbors at Christmas. Try making a dried poppy string. Similar to a popcorn string a poppy string will not rot as it hangs on the tree. To make your poppy string you can choose a variety of different sizes of poppies or make it uniform with one style of poppy. Once your poppy size has been chosen start by breaking of the stems from the bottom of the poppy heads. You’ll have to have a bucket on hand to drain all of the poppy seeds from the head of the poppy. With on hold made another must be made in order to finish this part of the task. In order to place another hole in the poppy head you could use a small drill bit. Be sure that the poppies you’ve acquired have strong enough walls to take the strain off the drill bit. After all your poppies have been drilled you can choose the string of you choice. If you were to choose a green or red or gold etc. to match the poppies simply spray paint your poppies with a satin or gloss spray with the color of your choice and if you want to glitz them up sprinkle some sparkles on top while the poppies are wet. In order to not have the poppies slide together on the string try placing a dab of hot glue on either side of the poppy after the string has been threaded through the poppy head.

The jumbo Turkish poppy is a gorgeous round globe that would be great for Christmas ornaments because the jumbo Turkish poppy pod is bold enough to stand on its own. Start by creating two small holes on the top of the poppy head. Once the holes have been made drain the poppy seeds out of the poppies head if there are any. After that is done clean the jumbo poppy pod to prepare it for being painted. After it’s been cleaned sketch out a design you would like to have on the poppy. A local arts and craft store should have the appropriate paints to adhere to the poppy pod. After the design has been painted on wait for it to dry fully then add a thin layer of lacer of over the top to give the ornament a glossy look.

If the poppy seeds were left in the poppy pod the sound is like a child’s rattle. The jumbo poppy pods walls are very thick walled and the stem acts as a handy handle with a bit of ingenuity and paint it could be that simply “Martha” gift you were looking for.

If you were to create a snowman for winter scenes try taking a small Turkish poppy pod, a medium Turkish poppy pod and a large Turkish poppy pod. Hot glue the poppy pods together building from the largest to the smallest to make your snowman. Take the poppy pod’s stems and use them to create the arms and the stems can be used for a broom if you broom for your snowman. After the glue has cooled apply some white paint then leave it to dry. As your waiting for you paint to dry on the poppy pods take some black felt and cut out some eyes to imitate coal. Once the paint is dry hot glue the felt onto the smallest poppy pod.

If you want to create a jolly old Santa Clause ornament trying using a jumbo or a extra large Turkish poppy pod in order to get his jolly old belly. The poppy pod will give Santa the shape he so desires.

Poppy pods also work well in potpourri. Take some poppy pods, pomegranates, wood shavings and dried apple cuts, mix them together with a scent of your choice from your local craft store to sweeten up your favorite room. IF you need a place to put the potpourri a gigantic poppy could be just the trick. Cut a ¼ off the top of the poppy head and empty out the seeds. Voila a perfect bowl that will also hold the lovely scent.

These are just some ideas that poppy pods and other dried flowers can be used for to liven up a seasonal event or merely enhance room décor.