Poppy

Poppies' papery, almost artificial-looking flowers are well-loved, and there are a surprising number of different kinds. The finer species including Iceland, Alpine, and Atlantic poppies have a special charm with flowers in myriad colors in spring. Oriental poppies are bristly and less refined, but they have huge, exploding flowers of brilliant reds, pinks, white, oranges, and plum, some with double flowers in summer. Most are blotched with black at the base and centered with a boss of black stamens. After these plants give their all at bloom time, the foliage dies back and looks ragged, so plan to fill the newly available space with annuals, dahlias, baby's breath, or other later-blooming plants.

Light:

Sun

Zones:

2-8

Plant Type:

Perennial

Plant Height:

8-36 inches

Plant Width:

4-36 inches

Bloom Time:

Blooms spring and summer, depending on variety

Landscape Uses:

Containers,Beds & Borders

Special Features:

Flowers,Attractive Foliage,Cut Flowers,Dried Flowers,Attracts Butterflies,Tolerates Wet Soil,Deer Resistant,Easy to Grow

Top Varieties

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'Allegro' Oriental poppy

Papaver orientale 'Allegro' is a dwarf form that stays only 20 inches tall and bears strong stems with bright red-orange flowers. Zones 3-9
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'Coral Reef' Oriental poppy

Papaver orientale 'Coral Reef' bears big coral-pink flowers on rugged plants that grow 3 feet tall. Zones 3-9
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'Helen Elizabeth' Oriental poppy

Papaver orientale 'Helen Elizabeth' has bristly stems and lobed, toothed foliage. A central boss of black stamens accents the bright salmon-color flowers. It may reach 2-1/2 feet tall. Zones 3-9
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'Patty's Purple Plum' Oriental poppy

Papaver orientale 'Patty's Purple Plum' bears unique burgundy-purple blooms on strong 3-foot stems. Zones 3-7
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'Prince of Orange' Oriental poppy

Papaver orientale 'Prince of Orange' has full orange-scarlet flowers on 30-inch-tall stems. It doesn't have the big black blotches at the base of the flower that most Oriental poppies do, but it's centered with black stamens and seedpod. Zones 3-9
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Garden Plans

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Spring Rock Garden
Small-Space Spring Show Garden Plan
Easy Street-Side Garden Plan
Annual Raised-Bed Garden Plan
Geometric Pocket Garden Plan
Small-Space Water Garden Plan

Plant It With

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Switchgrass

The erect 4-foot-tall metallic-blue gray stems and leaves of 'Heavy Metal' switchgrass make a striking contrast to the mounds of Oriental poppies. They enjoy similar situations.

Shasta daisy

The sparkling white single daisies of 'Alaska' Shasta daisy echo the flower shape of poppies while providing a contrast in color and foliage -- especially with strong-color poppies.

Veronica

With erect spikes of bright blue flowers, veronica works well against Iceland poppies, providing a vertical accent and color contrast.

Salvia

The upright deep purple-blue spikes of small flowers on sturdy stems make fine companions for Oriental or Iceland poppies.

Propagation

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Seed
Division