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Herbaceous Perennial

Papaver (Oriental Group) 'Pizzicato'
  • RHS Plants for pollinators

A reliably compact perennial poppy, to 50cm high, with bristly stems and finely divided, dark green leaves with fine silvery hairs. In late spring to early summer, cup-shaped flowers with ruffled petals are produced in a range of colours, from white to pink, orange and red, all with small dark blotches at the base of the petals

Synonyms
Papaver orientale 'Pizzicato'
Papaver 'Pizzicato'
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Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
1–2 years
Ultimate spread
0.1–0.5 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Clay
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring White Pink Red Orange Green
Summer White Pink Red Orange Green
Autumn
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

South–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H7
Botanical details
Family
Papaveraceae
Native to the UK
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

Accepted

How to grow

Cultivation

Will thrive in most soils, as long as there is good drainage, but a moderately fertile, humus-rich soil that is not too acidic is ideal. Position in full sun

Propagation

Propagate by division in spring, or by root cuttings in late autumn and early winter. Plants may produce seed, but seedlings may not be true to the parent plant

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Patio and container plants
  • Cut flowers
  • Flower borders and beds
Pruning

Cut spent flowering stems back to the ground, unless seed heads are required. Cut back foliage as it fades in summer

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids

Diseases

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

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