Papaver somniferum (Laciniatum Group) 'Black Swan'
An annual poppy, to 90cm high, with deeply toothed, pale green-grey leaves. From June to August, large, showy, glossy dark burgundy-red flowers with feathery, deeply cut petals appear followed by large, barrel-shaped blue-green seed pods
Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metresTime to ultimate height
1 yearUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Grey Silver Green | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Red | Grey Silver Green | ||
| Autumn | Grey Silver Green | |||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H5Botanical 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
- 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, sown successionally and in situ from early spring. Thin seedlings as required, but they do not like to be transplanted
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
Deadhead 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
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.