Papaver orientale
oriental poppy
A perennial poppy, to 90cm high, with bristly stems and finely divided, dark green leaves covered with silvery hairs. In early to mid summer, produces pendent buds that straighten and open to large, bowl-shaped, orange-red flowers to 15cm across, with small purple-black blotches at the base of the petals
Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metresTime to ultimate height
1–2 yearsUltimate spread
0.5–1 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Red Orange | Green | ||
| Autumn | ||||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H6Botanical details
- Family
- Papaveraceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Bushy, Clump forming
- Genus
Papaver can be annuals, biennials or herbaceous perennials with simple or pinnately divided leaves and short-lived, saucer-shaped, 4-petalled flowers which may be solitary or in racemes
- Name status
Correct
How to grow
Cultivation
Will thrive in most soils, as long as there is good drainage, but a moderately fertile, humus-rich soil that is not too acidic is ideal. Position in full sun
Propagation
Propagate by seed, by division in spring, or by root cuttings in late autumn and early winter
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Cottage and informal garden
- Flower borders and beds
Pruning
Cut spent flowering stems back to the ground, cut back foliage as it fades
Pests
May be susceptible to aphids
Diseases
May be susceptible to downy mildews, powdery mildews, fungal wilts and verticillium wilt
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