Papaver (Oriental Group) 'Indian Chief'
oriental poppy 'Indian Chief'
A clump-forming perennial 80cm high with bristly stems which are erect at first and then tend to sprawl unless supported, and pinnatisect, variously lobed and toothed, mid-green leaves, which die back in summer as a new basal rosette forms, and deep maroon-mahogany-red flowers, with dark purple-brown seed capsules and black stamens but without basal spots, in early summer; poppy flowers are a rich source of pollen for bees
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Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.5–1 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Brown Purple Red | Green | ||
| Autumn | ||||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or East–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H7Botanical details
- Family
- Papaveraceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- 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
Accepted
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in deep, moist but well-drained soil in full sun, and support if necessary
Propagation
Propagate by root cuttings in late autumn or early winter, or by division in spring
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Cottage and informal garden
- Flower borders and beds
Pruning
Cut back dead flowering stems and dead leaves
Pests
May be susceptible to aphids
Diseases
May be susceptible to downy mildews, powdery mildews, fungal wilts and verticillium wilt
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