QIS® Bowling Ball Poppy

While many poppies are known for their delicate nature, this variety stands as a garden giant, reaching three feet tall on remarkably sturdy stems. The Bowling Ball poppy begins its summer show with expansive, silky pink blossoms that flutter like soft banners in the garden beds. However, the true spectacle arrives after the petals drop and the seed heads swell to the size of tennis balls. These "rattlepods" are highly sought after for their architectural impact in dried floral designs, providing a bold, sculptural element that lasts long after the growing season ends.

To achieve the most massive pods, treat this variety as a hardy friend by direct sowing in late summer or fall. This timing allows the plants to overwinter and gain the necessary strength to produce their signature oversized harvest. Beyond their ornamental value, these gargantuan pods are treasure chests of tiny seeds in shades of blue-gray, brown, or white, perfect for adding a nutty crunch to your homemade breads and pastries. Whether grown as a tender perennial or a cold-climate annual, it offers a wonderful duality of ephemeral beauty and lasting utility.