Poppies

Cultivated for almost six thousand years, the poppy has long been a source of controversy for its drug associations.

Why We Love Them

Watching poppies open-- from furry, green pods to soft, elegant blooms-- is one of the most breathtaking sights.

Requirements

Make sure poppies have well-drained soil and full sun (and be sure to deadhead at the end of their bloom). Some special varieties (like the Welsh poppy) will grow in shaded, moist areas.

By The Book

Poppies are a favorite in literature-- appearing in classics like The Wizard of Oz (forming a large field where our heroes fall asleep) and in more recent works like George R. R. Martin's A Song Of Ice And Fire (where they are concocted into the fictional "milk of the poppy").

Urban Legend?

Seinfeld wasn't making it up-- eating poppy seeds (even in trace amounts, like on a bagel) can lead to a positive drug test.