Macleaya cordata (Willd.) R. Br.
plume poppy
Macleaya cordata is a tall, rhizomatous perennial, up to 2.5m tall, with broad rounded 5-7 lobed, grey-green leaves to 20cm, whitish beneath, and tall, to 1m, plumes of pendent, tiny buff-white flowers in summer.
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Size
Ultimate height
1.5–2.5 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
1–1.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green Grey Silver | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | White | Green Grey Silver | ||
| Autumn | Green Grey Silver | |||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or East–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H6Botanical details
- Family
- Papaveraceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Clump forming
- Genus
Macleaya are large herbaceous rhizomatous perennials with handsome palmately lobed leaves and large airy panicles of tiny flowers
- Name status
Unresolved
- Plant range
- China, Japan
How to grow
Cultivation
Grows best in a deep, moderately fertile soil that is moist but well-drained, but will tolerate most soils. It needs plenty of space and has the potential to become a nuisance on sandy soils. For best foliage, provide shelter from cold winds; like sun but tolerates partial shade
Propagation
Propagate by division in late autumn or spring or separate root rhizomes when dormant in winter and treat as you would root cuttings
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Architectural
- Prairie planting
- Low Maintenance
- Flower borders and beds
- Hedging and screens
Pruning
Cut down to the base in late autumn
Pests
May be susceptible to slugs
Diseases
Generally disease-free
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