Papaver somniferum (Paeoniiflorum Group) 'Schwarzer Drachen' (d)
opium poppy 'Schwarzer Drachen'
An annual poppy, to 90cm high, with deeply toothed, pale blue-green leaves. In early summer, produces densely double, dark purple flowers on tall leafy stems, followed by large, blue-green seed pods
Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metresTime to ultimate height
1 yearUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Blue Green | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Purple | Blue Green | ||
| Autumn | ||||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H5Botanical details
- Family
- Papaveraceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Bushy
- Potentially harmful
- Harmful if eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling Pets: Harmful if eaten - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers
- 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
Unresolved
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in a sunny spot in well drained soil, with plenty of organic matter dug in before sowing. May need support, as flowers can be heavy after rain (see staking: perennials)
Propagation
Propagate by seed, sown successionally and in situ from early spring. Thin seedlings as required, but they do not like to be transplanted
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Cottage and informal garden
- Gravel garden
- Prairie planting
- Wildflower meadow
- Flower borders and beds
Pruning
Deadhead if seed is not required
Pests
May be susceptible to aphids
Diseases
May be susceptible to downy mildews, powdery mildews, fungal wilts and verticillium wilt
Get involved
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