Argemone grandiflora

This is a handsome plant that is an annual or a short lived perennial. It makes a mound of long leaves with oblong lobes along their sides. The foliage is handsome with a pale-grey central rib, otherwise coloured light-green and definitely prickled. The beautiful flowers nestle amongst the foliage. They are big, cup shaped, poppy-like blooms, white with a satiny look. At the heart there are small creamy-yellow stamens, stained red at their base. The flower may flop a little. If one deadheads regularly there is a summer long floral display. If the flowers are allowed to stay interesting seed capsules follow. Give this sunshine in a soil that is poor to reasonable and well drained. The plant reaches around 1.2m (4ft) height, sometimes more, with equivalent spread.