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Can Opium Grow In England
The Romans introduced the poppy into England. Roman mythology associated the papaver plant to Somnus, the god of sleep. The Greeks followed a similar line, connecting this plant to Hymnus, the god of rest and oblivion.
The danger of opium unfortunately did not stop many fakers in old England from making up medicine and advertising the advantages of opium poppy to make their fortunes. Even some scientists in those years warned about the dangers of opium use, especially in little children, without special care, that put many to their last sleep.
During the Industrial Revolution, men fired from their jobs, by the chaotic conditions of the new-born industries found in opium an affordable exit from their problems, since in fact, opium was cheaper than food. A few coppers would buy the "cordial", as opium was known, which kept the hungry children quiet and sleeping. And Godfrey`s Cordial was still popular in 1910. It took the pure food and drug laws of a later day to remove this dangerous narcotic from patent medicines. In the sixteen hundreds a large squirt of opium could be added to anything to bring magic release fall all the diseases. The fakes were out for easy money and plenty of it. They took full advantage of the opium poppy to make their fortunes. Starting the nineteenth century laudanum (the tincture of opium) was as used as aspirin is today. A large number of artists have been opium addicts being inspired while having “creative opium dreams”.
The opium poppy was also the main reason for England's war with China in 1839. This war lasted for three in Canton harbor, under heavy fire of English ships. Finally at the peace table negotiations, China ceded Hong Kong to England and signed a five treaty, freeing Chinese ports to trade with the west. Opium poppy was never mentioned in the peace treaty, so it was still contraband and the illegal traffic continued until 1908. It is an ugly story. Not all Englishmen approved of England's action in regards to China.
Originally from southeastern Europe and western Asia, the opium poppy is cultivated in many parts of the world as the source for the analgesics, codeine and morphine; and the illegal narcotics, heroin and opium. It is a popular old timely ornamental in Europe and America, and its seeds are often shared among gardeners. Opium poppy has escaped cultivation and you can find that opium poppies still grow wild in parts of England, continental Europe and Latin America. Thus, it is a fact, that even when opium poppy is prohibited to grow in England you can find it either growing wildly in remote areas, as well as mixed among several poppy species, planted by gardeners in private properties.
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Super Giganthemums
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Our highly popular, seasonal Super Giganthemums are back in stock. We only have a limited supply of these popular poppy pods until the next drying season in August. These are the largest and most beautiful pods we have seen in a while.
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Poppy Information
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Want to know more about poppies? Then take a look at our poppies information pages.
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