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Herbaceous Perennial

Papaver (Oriental Group) 'Beauty of Livermere'
  • RHS Plants for pollinators

oriental poppy 'Beauty of Livermere'

An herbaceous perennial to 1m tall, with toothed and bristly lance-shaped leaves to 30cm long, and single, deep scarlet flowers 20cm across in late spring and early summer, each petal with a bold black blotch at the base

Other common names
poppy 'Beauty of Livermere'
Synonyms
Papaver orientale var. bracteatum 'Beauty of Livermere'
Papaver orientale (Goliath Group) 'Beauty of Livermere'
see morePapaver orientale 'Beauty of Livermere'
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Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metres
Time to ultimate height
2–5 years
Ultimate spread
0.5–1 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Clay
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Red Green
Summer Red Green
Autumn
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

West–facing or South–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H7
Botanical details
Family
Papaveraceae
Native to the UK
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Bushy
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

Accepted

How to grow

Cultivation

Can be grown in a wide range of well-drained soils in full sun. Improve soil with well-rotted organic matter prior to planting. Avoid overfeeding that encourages excessive foliage growth. It may require staking perennials

Propagation

Propagate by seed, but plants raised from seeds of named cultivars are likely to be different. Take root cuttings in late autumn/early winter. Divide in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Flower borders and beds
Pruning

The foliage often starts dying back after flowering. Trim back the yellowing foliage. Second flush of growth often commences in early autumn. Remove dead leaves in spring

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids

Diseases

May be susceptible to downy mildews in damp conditions and powdery mildew

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