This has just appeared in my garden. What is it?

That's an opium poppy Ian, very pretty flowers!

Looks like a poppy to me, you know - one of those flowery sort of things!

Thanks Madmum and Lily2.
Opium ? isn't that a bit naughty?
Lily2 I'm doing my best with these flowery things but you know I'm only a veggie bloke... :~))

Only if you collect the sap!

Thanks Madmum, what do I do with it now? is it a flower or a weed?

That would depend on whether you like it! I love them, but they will self-seed if you leave the seed pods to dry out, so take them off if you don't want more next year.

Its right at the side of my veggie beds so off they must come.
Thanks very much for your help :~)

jst enjoy the flowers,they wont last very long,a week at most then jst pull it up, the seed pods takes weeks to dry out,a lot longer than it actually flowers ~ i enjoy loads of poppies every year, im sure your wife/partener would enjoy them. ;)

Thanks Windy, I was just thinking I could save the seeds and plant them in the front garden ! Well away from my veggies :~)) I'm sure Carol (my wife) will love them.

They are a very attractive plant, they just need keeping under control.

I second that Bulbaholic, they get everywhere but are easy to pull out if you don't want them, put a pic on when its open Ian would like to see what colour it is

It looks a pinkish colour but I will certainly post a photo for you when the time comes. :~))

the bees like it too. the range of red/pink colours is fantastic.

I've had a few self set this year too Ian. the bees love them :-) They seem to appear on disturbed ground - mine are between my newly set beech hedge.

Thanks again all, I will def. keep an eye on it and reseed into the front. :~)))

Hi again, I've just took a photo of the opened flower. As promised I will post it in my flower pictures bit, thingy, you know what I mean :~))