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Annual Biennial
Argemone mexicana
devil's fig
An annual with vivid yellow flowers all summer and prickly blue-green foliage to 60cm in height. It has ornamental prickly seed heads
Other common names
birds in the bushCorooko oil plant
see moreflowering thistle
headache garden
headache poppy
infernal fig
Jamaica thistle
Mexican poppy
Mexican prickly poppy
thistle oil plant
yellow Mexican poppy
yellow thistle
prickly poppy
Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metresTime to ultimate height
1 yearUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Chalk
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Grey Silver | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Yellow | Grey Silver | ||
| Autumn | ||||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing
Exposure
ShelteredDrought resistance
Yes Hardiness
H3Botanical details
- Family
- Papaveraceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Columnar upright, Bushy
- Potentially harmful
- All parts can cause harm if eaten. Wear gloves and wash hands after handling
- Genus
Argemone can be annuals, perennials or shrubs, often prickly, with simple, lobed or spiny leaves and showy poppy-like flowers in summer followed by large, often spiny fruits
- Name status
Correct
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in any well-drained soil, especially those low in nutrients. A position in full sun is ideal - shade will not be tolerated
Propagation
Propagate by seed
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Cottage and informal garden
- Gravel garden
- Coastal
- Rock garden
- Mediterranean climate plants
- Low Maintenance
Pruning
No pruning required
Pests
Generally pest-free
Diseases
Generally disease-free
Get involved
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