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Annual Biennial

Papaver somniferum 'Kykeon Afghan'

An annual poppy, to 120cm high, with deeply toothed, pale green leaves with a pale reddish-brown tint around the edges. From June, dark pink flowers with white centres appear, followed by large, barrel-shaped blue-green seed pods

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Ultimate height

1–1.5 metres

Time to ultimate height

1 year

Ultimate spread

0.1–0.5 metres

Chalk

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Moist but well–drained, Well–drained

pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun

Aspect

East–facing or South–facing or West–facing

Exposure

Exposed or Sheltered

Drought resistance

Yes

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Papaveraceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Bushy, Columnar upright
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

Propagation

Propagate by seed in situ in spring

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

No pruning required but deadhead to prevent re-seeding

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids

Diseases

May be susceptible to downy mildews in wet conditions and fungal wilts

Get involved

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