Papaver (Oriental Group) 'Perry's White'

RHS Plant Profile
oriental poppy 'Perry's White'

Other common names

poppy 'Perry's White'

Synonyms

Papaver orientale 'Perry's White'

Plants for pollinators
Herbaceous Perennial

A robust, deciduous perennial to 90cm tall, with scalloped, bristly, mid-green foliage. Large, ruffled, bowl-shaped white flowers 20cm wide, with dark purple to black central blotches, appear in summer

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.5-1 metres
Max Height
0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or East–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H7

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Papaveraceae
Native to GB/Ireland
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

Prefers a deep, fertile, well drained soil in full sun

Propagation

Divide plants in spring, or propagate by seed sown in containers in a cold frame; root cuttings can also be taken in late autumn or early winter

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Cut back old flowering stems and leaves after flowering, for a fresh, second flush of foliage in the late summer

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids

Diseases

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