What is a Double Poppy?Īs the name suggests, double poppy plants (USDA zone 3-8) are annual ornamental plants that resemble peonies with their large, tightly packed double flowers, 4 to 5 inches (10-13 cm.) in diameter, which form on long, 2 to 3 feet (61-91 cm.) tall sturdy stems laden with blue-green lettuce-like leaves. Read on to learn more about growing double-flowering poppies. poppies, aren’t they illegal? Don’t click off this article just yet keep reading for additional double poppy info.īased on my understanding, while double poppy plants are a sub-type of the opium poppy ( Papaver somniferum), they possess a much lower morphine content, making it perfectly legal to grow this particular variant in the garden– provided your intention is to enjoy it strictly for its aesthetics. If you are a fan of peonies and can’t get enough or have difficulty growing them, then you may want to consider growing peony poppies ( Papaver paeoniflorum), also known as double poppies.