Poppies and Allium

There are so many flowers opening right now that it is hard to know what to share. Everything is so stunning and gorgeous. I especially love Poppies and Allium. In these Poppy photographs, I am sharing Champagne Bubbles mixed Poppies (Papaver nudicaule 'Champagne Bubbles'). Historically Poppies were cultivated for opium. The opium Poppy is known as Papaver Somniferum. This Poppy usually has white or purple flowers. The word "opium" comes from the Greek word 'opos'  which means juice.  

It is believed that this flower originated in the Mediterranean.

Poppies have also been symbols of fertility as they are loaded with many seeds in a single Poppy capsule. Even after the petals fell off the flowers, they are very beautiful. Poppies are associated with the element of water, the moon and are sacred to the agricultural goddess Demeter. 

The buds in the photograph above are Giant Allium. Before they open a thin papery coating splits open to reveal the many flower buds that will soon open up to beautiful purple flowers. The genus Allium includes onions, chives, and garlic.

Allium flowers are symbols of humility and unity.