Tall solitary flowers, sometimes just four thin red wrinkled petals, rise on slender stems above a finely drawn leafage, and in a border they make the whole garden look more natural. Poppies ask for almost nothing beyond full sun and ordinary soil, and in return they flower all summer long.
| Name | Papaver |
|---|---|
| Family | Papaveraceae |
| Type | perennial, annual |
| Height | 12 to 16 inches (30 to 40 cm) |
| Exposure | full sun |
| Soil | ordinary or rather rich |
| Flowering | whole summer |
For perennial poppies, plant in spring in garden soil amended with soil mix, and keep about 8 inches (20 cm) between two neighboring plants.
If you wish to sow perennial papaver, the ideal season is summer.
To sow annual papaver poppies, proceed to sow directly in the plot from mid-spring to early summer and then water regularly but not too much.
Perennial and annual poppies are not started the same way, nor at the same time of year. Use the table to pick the method that matches the poppy you are growing.
| Poppy and method | When | How | Follow-up |
|---|---|---|---|
| Perennial poppy – planting | Spring | In garden soil amended with soil mix | Keep about 8 inches (20 cm) between plants |
| Perennial poppy – sowing | Summer | Broadcast sow in a mix of soil mix and sand, or in special seedling soil mix | Thin to 4 inches (10 cm), transplant to the bed at the beginning of fall |
| Annual poppy – direct sowing | mid-spring to early summer | Sow directly in the plot, then water regularly but not too much | Thin to about 4 inches (10 cm) when the first sprouts appear |
| Annual poppy – early start | late winter to early spring, mild climates only | Sow under the protection of a cold frame | Transfer to the ground in spring |
Whichever route you take, move young plants early: poppies dislike being disturbed once they have grown on.
Papaver poppy is a very easy plant to care for, it requires practically no care at all.
In summer, after the blooming, it is recommended to cut back the papaver to only an inch (a couple centimeters) or so from the ground, this will lead it to produce beautiful leaves.
As for diseases and parasites, papaver poppy is very resilient and only very few enemies are known…
However, if ever you uncover a few squadrons of aphids, follow the link to read how to get rid of aphids.
Poppies sold in garden centres and seed catalogues fall into a few distinct groups, from long-lived oriental poppies to annuals sown straight where they are to flower. Use the table below to match flower colour, life cycle and size to the spot you have in mind.
| Variety | Flower colour | Life cycle | Height band | Best use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beauty of Livermere | Deep blood red, black basal blotch | Perennial | Tall | Back of a sunny border |
| Perry’s White | White with dark centre | Perennial | Medium | Pale and white borders |
| Patty’s Plum | Dusky plum-mauve | Perennial | Medium | Mixed border, muted schemes |
| Garden Gnome | Mixed bright shades | Grown as annual or biennial | Dwarf | Pots, edging, window boxes |
| Hungarian Blue | Mauve-lilac | Annual | Tall | Seed heads, edible seed |
| Shirley Mixed | Pink, red, white, picotee mix | Annual | Medium | Direct sowing in drifts |
| Mother of Pearl | Smoky greys, lilacs and peach | Annual | Medium | Self-seeding naturalistic planting |
| Lauren’s Grape | Deep purple | Annual | Tall | Borders and dried seed heads |
| Angels Choir | Semi-double pastel mix | Annual | Medium | Cottage borders, cutting |
| Champagne Bubbles | Mixed pastels, orange to cream | Short-lived perennial, grown as annual or biennial | Low to medium | Cutting and containers |
| Princess Victoria Louise | Salmon pink | Perennial | Medium | Cottage-style borders |
| Royal Wedding | White with black blotch | Perennial | Tall | Bold border accent |
| Karine | Soft pink, crimson basal spots | Perennial | Low to medium | Front of border |
| Türkenlouis | Orange-red, fringed petals | Perennial | Medium to tall | Borders, informal planting |
| Allegro | Bright scarlet-orange | Perennial | Low to medium | Compact clumps, small gardens |
| Ladybird | Scarlet with black blotches | Annual | Low to medium | Gravel, front of border |
One of the species of papaver is the common poppy. It is typical in that it hosts tall solitary flowers, often very colorful and unfolding 4 thin red wrinkled petals.
Other notable species are the oriental poppy, a perennial that blooms year after year, and the Papaver somniferum, an annual that must be sown in spring every year. This last poppy is the one from which the opium drug is derived, and medical morphine is extracted from it, too.
Poppies are often found in the wild, in fields and pastures, and in gardens they tend to make a garden look more natural.
Papaver poppy bears large, tall solitary flowers, and a nice thinly drawn leafage.
The poppy is worn to commemorate war heroes and soldiers who have died at battle.
In the poem, he said poppies were like memories of the soldiers buried beneath them. 🥀
Take care, because papaver poppies spread quickly and they might be tough to keep under control!
It is best to cut the flowers as soon as the seed pod starts forming.
Transplant young poppy plants quickly or they’ll die, they don’t like being moved when older!
