Opium-Valmue - wall piece - Gerda Bengtsson (GB)

Opium-Valmue - wall piece - Gerda Bengtsson (GB)

A botanical wall piece with opium poppy

"Opium-Valmue" (Opium Poppy) - wall piece - Gerda Bengtsson (GB) is a classic cross stitch embroidery featuring a complete opium poppy plant. The plant stands upright against the pale background and is shown from root to flower. At the top appears a pink poppy flower with delicate dark details at its centre. Beside the flower stands a round green seed pod on a slender stem.

The motif has a clear botanical composition. At the bottom, the small root anchors the plant within the design. From here, the green stem grows upwards through the leaves and continues towards the flower, bud and seed pod. The large serrated leaves fill the lower section of the motif. They give the embroidery weight and create a beautiful contrast to the lighter stems above.

The small dark bud on the left side adds further variation. It shows the plant in another stage of growth and makes the motif feel more alive. At the bottom, the text OPIUM POPPY is stitched beneath the root. It works as a subtle botanical label and emphasises the motif’s character as a plant portrait.

Pink flower, seed pod and serrated leaves

The colours are calm and naturalistic. Green shades dominate and give the leaves depth. Some leaves are dark and strong, while others are lighter and more delicate. Yellow and warm tones in the veins and stems give the plant structure and direction.

The pink flower is the motif’s soft focal point. It sits at the top of the composition and stands lightly against the linen background. The dark purple and green details at the centre of the flower create contrast. The seed pod beside it is stitched in cool green shades that harmonise beautifully with the rest of the plant.

The size of 43 × 93 cm gives the wall piece a narrow and tall format. This suits the vertical growth of the plant especially well. The finished embroidery can hang alone on a narrow wall space or be combined with other botanical wall pieces to create a larger plant display.

Haandarbejdets Fremme and materials

The embroidery is stitched with Danish Flower Thread on Haandarbejdets Fremme (HF) linen fabric 10B. The linen creates a classic and calm background. Danish Flower Thread gives the green, pink and purple shades a lively appearance that suits Gerda Bengtsson’s botanical style beautifully.

Haandarbejdets Fremme is known for embroidery designs of high quality and clear motifs. In this design, that tradition appears through the precise rendering of the plant and the calm composition. Gerda Bengtsson has created a wall piece where the opium poppy appears both decorative and botanical. Every part of the plant contributes to the whole.

Opium Poppy is especially suitable for the experienced embroiderer. The motif is tall, and the many leaves contain subtle colour transitions. The flower, bud, seed pod and root also require attention and precision. In return, the work results in a striking wall piece with an elegant botanical expression. The finished embroidery suits homes with an appreciation for nature motifs, classic needlework and calm colours.