Know Your Poppies!

Know Your Poppies
"Earth laughs in flowers."~Ralph Waldo Emerson~ 
I took this photo at Blithewold Gardens, a few days ago. I could not make any sense from the anatomy of this flower. It looked like a peony, yet it had all the characteristics of a poppy. When I found it's identification on a nearby stand, I was amazed to discover that this beautiful specimen is called... are you ready for this one???  A Peony Poppy! They were in full bloom planted in long rows, just incredibly beautiful to view! Their color alone, a symphony to the eye.
I researched them thru my friend, google and discovered that although, not familiar with this variety, they are quite popular. They are also know as opium poppies, a low-morphine variety and legal. Opium, low-morphine, yikes! I guess you better know your poppies before you plant them! I can just hear it all now; but officer they were so pretty, I really didn't know??? Who would believe that someone raised in the sixties wouldn't know? Guilty by age and association, I guess. I could plead ignorance, If found guilty, and hopefully spend the rest of my time spreading seeds of happiness, one smile at a time! All legal of course!