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Annual Biennial

Papaver dubium
  • RHS Plants for pollinators

long-headed poppy

An annual poppy, up to 60cm high, with hairy, finely divided blue-green leaves to 15cm long. Solitary, saucer-shaped reddish orange or reddish pink flowers to 7cm across are produced on hairy upright stems throughout summer, followed by long, ribbed seed capsules

Other common names
blaver
Synonyms
Papaver modestum
Papaver collinum
Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
1 year
Ultimate spread
0.1–0.5 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green Blue
Summer Red Orange Pink Green Blue
Autumn
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

South–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H5
Botanical details
Family
Papaveraceae
Native to GB / Ireland
Yes
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Columnar upright
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 an open, sunny spot in well-drained soil

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown in situ in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Wildflower meadow
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Flower borders and beds
Pruning

Deadhead after flowering 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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