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Annual Biennial

Papaver commutatum
  • RHS AGM
  • RHS Plants for pollinators

Caucasian scarlet poppy

P. commutatum is an upright annual to 40cm, with downy, pinnatifid leaves to 15cm in length and long-stalked flowers 7cm in width, each with four bright red petals, with a large black blotch at the base

Other common names
dark-spotted poppy

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Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
1–2 years
Ultimate spread
0–0.1 metre
Growing conditions
Loam
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green
Summer Black Red Green
Autumn
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

South–facing or East–facing

Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H5
Botanical details
Family
Papaveraceae
Native to the UK
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
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

Grow in deep, fertile, well-drained soil in full sun

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Patio and container plants
  • Mediterranean climate plants
  • Wildflower meadow
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Flower borders and beds
  • Cut flowers
Pruning

Cut back after flowering

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids

Diseases

May be susceptible to downy mildews, powdery mildews, fungal wilts and verticillium wilt

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