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Annual Biennial

Papaver glaucum
  • RHS Plants for pollinators

tulip poppy

A bushy annual poppy to 60cm high, with grey-green, finely divided leaves. Large, rich red flowers, with upright petals in the centre and a small black blotch in the base, are borne on hairy, upright stems in summer, and followed by rounded seed capsules

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Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metres
Time to ultimate height
1 year
Ultimate spread
0.5–1 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green Grey Silver
Summer Red Green Grey Silver
Autumn
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

South–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H5
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

Correct

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in an open, sunny spot in well-drained soil. Dislikes root disturbance

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown in situ in autumn or spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Gravel garden
  • Wildflower meadow
  • Flower borders and beds
Pruning

Deadhead after flowering 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

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