Poppy

Poppy

Papaver spp.

Who doesn't love poppies, with their papery, almost-artificial looking flowers? And there are a surprising number of different kinds. The finer species including Icelands, Alpines, and Atlantic poppies have a special charm with flowers in a myriad of colors in spring. The Oriental poppies are bristly and less refined, but with huge exploding flowers of brilliant reds, pinks, white, oranges and plum, some with double flowers in summer. Most are blotched at the base with black and are centered with a boss of black stamens. After these plants give their all, the foliage dies back after bloom time 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 inches-3 feet tall, depending on variety

Plant Width:

4 inches-3 feet wide, depending on variety

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

Allegro 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 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 and toothed foliage. A central boss of black stamens accents the bright salmon flowers. It may reach 2-1/2 feet tall and is hardy in Zones 3-9.
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Papaver orientale 'Patty's Purple Plum'

(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 is centered with black stamens and seedpod. Zones 3-9
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Garden Plans

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

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. This is especially so with strong colored 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.