Historic variety from the Peshawar region of Pakistan, just over the border from Afghanistan, at one end of the famous Khyber Pass. The ephemeral, pure white blooms are exquisite. Given room and fertile, well-drained soil, each plant puts up several long slender stems, each with a 3"-6" poppy swaying in the breeze. Petals fall quickly, to reveal large pods. Plant in a group, thinned to 12" apart. The white seeds are mild and delicious for food or oil, but this was bred for medicinal use, not heavy seed production. (For that, see Elka poppy.) 200 seeds

Poppies like to start in cool soil but don't require cold-conditioning like some seeds, so if you're a bit late getting them started, just make sure the soil stays moist and they should do fine. they do, however, require light; sowing too deep will keep them from sprouting. Prepare a bed with good fertility and fine texture. Tamp the surface, scatter the seed, and rake in very lightly. Thin to 12"-24" apart; crowded plants will be stunted, so allow adequate space. Papaver somniferum