Papaver
Poppy
- Height × spread
- 0.3m – 1.2m × 0.2m – 1.2m
- Position
- Full sun
Availability
Generally available in Spring & Summer
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
Poppies are jolly and opulent, with flowers in fervent clear tones and crumpled paper petals, and big black hearts within each bloom. The poppies range from the simple red poppy of Flanders (Papaver rhoeas) that is seen in disturbed soil and cornfields, an annual that self seeds, to the lush forms of Papaver orientale with its big floppy leaves. Other poppies include those with more modest dimensions, such as the demure Iceland poppy, or the magnificent but transient flowers of the opium poppy (Papaver somniferum) with its bee-besotted flowers and pepper pot seed heads. Big poppies must be planned for, small ones seed themselves delightfully.; Hazardous: The opium poppy, Papaver somniferum and its forms are harmful if eaten.
- Flower colour
- Brown, Grey, Orange, Pink, Purple, Red, Rose, White, Yellow
- Foliage colour
- Green, Grey
- Fruit colour
- Beige, Brown
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Column, Cube, Dome
- Height
- 0.3m – 1.2m
- Spread
- 0.2m – 1.2m
- Season of interest
- Spring, Summer, Autumn
- Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Garden style
- Wild flower meadow, Seaside garden, Rock garden, Prairie garden, Herb garden, Gravel garden, Exotic garden, Cottage garden
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun, likes part shade, likes light shade
- Soil type
- All types
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- All conditions
- Winter hardiness
- Varies, some are not hardy
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Bedding plant, Architectural, Rabbit resistant, Bee attraction, Butterfly attraction, Bird attraction
- Maintenance
- Easycare – low/no maintenance
- Hazards
- Yes, some poisonous
Spring
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water in dry periods
Established plants in the ground can cope with 7-10 days of dryness, and shrubs often manage 2 to 3 weeks. Water one section of the garden thoroughly each day rather than a little everywhere. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather.
Planting & general
Outdoors
Feed & mulch some rose varieties differently
To keep roses healthy and produce more flowers, feed during the growing season before and after flowering. Roses in containers should be fed more often than those planted in the ground, every two weeks from mid spring to late summer. Adding a mulch around the base of a rose will trap moisture and enrich the soil as it biodegrades.
Outdoors
Water some varieties differently
Some plants within this genus have additional requirements for water. It is best to look up your specific plant, or the species it belongs to for watering guidance.
Planting
Prune some varieties
Some plants within this genus have additional requirements for pruning. It is best to look up your specific plant, or the species it belongs to for pruning guidance.
Planting
Divide some varieties differently
Some plant varieties within this genus have different requirements for dividing them when they get big. It is best to look up your specific plant, or the species it belongs to for guidance, and/or check the label.
Compost · Planting
Multi-purpose compost
Use a good quality peat-free multi-purpose compost when growing in pots and containers.
Found in
More Papaver
Papaver 'Allegro'
Oriental poppy
Papaver 'Beauty of Livermere'
Oriental poppy
Papaver 'Patty's Plum'
Oriental poppy
Papaver 'Royal Wedding'
Oriental poppy
Papaver nudicaule
Icelandic poppy, Arctic poppy
Papaver orientale
Oriental poppy
Papaver 'Avebury Crimson'
Oriental poppy
Papaver 'Brilliant'
Oriental poppy