Papaver setiferum
oriental poppy
A perennial poppy, to 70cm high, with bristly stems and a rosette of divided and toothed green leaves covered with silvery hairs. In early to mid summer, produces up to 10 upright, hairy buds, that open to large, orange-red flowers, often with black blotches at the base of the petals
Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metresTime to ultimate height
1–2 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
Spring | Green | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Summer | Orange Red | Green | ||
Autumn | ||||
Winter |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H6Botanical 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
Will thrive in most soils, as long as there is good drainage, but a moderately fertile, humus-rich moist soil that is not too acidic is ideal. Position in full sun
Propagation
Propagate by seed, by division in spring, or by root cuttings in late autumn and early winter
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Cottage and informal garden
- Flower borders and beds
Pruning
No pruning 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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