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Annual Biennial

Papaver somniferum 'Lilac Pompom' (d)

opium poppy 'Lilac Pompom'

An annual poppy, to 90cm high, with deeply toothed, pale blue-green leaves. In late spring and early summer, produces fully double, pale lilac pink flowers with finely cut petals, followed by large, blue-green seed pods

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Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metres
Time to ultimate height
1 year
Ultimate spread
0.1–0.5 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Pink Purple Blue Green
Summer Pink Purple Blue Green
Autumn
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

South–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Drought resistance
Yes
Hardiness
H5
Botanical details
Family
Papaveraceae
Native to the UK
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Bushy
Potentially harmful
Harmful if eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling Pets: Harmful if eaten - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers
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
  • Flower borders and beds
Pruning

No pruning required but 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

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