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Annual Biennial

Papaver commutatum
  • RHS AGM
  • RHS Plants for pollinators

Caucasian scarlet poppy

An upright annual to 40cm, with downy, pinnatifid leaves to 15cm in length and long-stalked flowers 7cm in width, each with four bright red petals, with a large black blotch at the base

Other common names
dark-spotted poppy

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Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
1–2 years
Ultimate spread
0–0.1 metre
Growing conditions
Loam
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green
Summer Black Red Green
Autumn
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

South–facing or East–facing

Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H5
Botanical 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

Correct

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in deep, fertile, well-drained soil in full sun

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Patio and container plants
  • Mediterranean climate plants
  • Wildflower meadow
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Flower borders and beds
  • Cut flowers
Pruning

Cut back after flowering

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids

Diseases

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

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