Oriental Poppy
Papaver orientale. PAPAVERACEAE.
Planting and Growing Oriental Poppy
You’ll find everything you need to know to plant and grow Oriental poppy in the accompanying table’s tabs:
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- Flowers, foliage, and root structure of Oriental poppy
- Plant hardiness and growing conditions for Oriental poppy
- Season of bloom and planting time for Oriental poppy
- When, how deep, and where to plant Oriental poppy
- How to plant Oriental poppy
- Watering, fertilizing, care, and pests or diseases of Oriental poppy
- Landscape and container uses of Oriental poppy
- Comments about Oriental poppy and its features
Growing Oriental Poppy
Many cultivars of mounding, deciduous perennial herbs, 2–4 ft. (60–120 cm) tall, 3 ft. (90 cm) wide. Hairy, green, feathery, deeply cut, toothed leaves, 10–12 in. (25–30 cm) long, forming a circular, radiating base.
See also Icelandic Poppy, Papaver nudicaule, a closely related species with care needs somewhat similar to Oriental poppy.
Planting and Care Guide
Blooms
Very showy, single or double, cream, orange, pink, red, white, crepe-paper-like, cup-shaped, frilly flowers, 4–6 in. (10–15 cm) wide, often with black, silky centers, on wiry stems, in summer–autumn.
Best Climates
Hardy. Zones 3–7. Best in cold-winter climates.
Soil Type and Fertility
Moist, well-drained to heavy loam. Fertility: Rich–average. 6.5–7.5 pH.
Where and How to Plant
Autumn in full sun to partial shade, 15–20 in. (38–50 cm) apart.
Proper Care
Easy–moderate. Keep moist; allow soil surface to dry between waterings. Fertilize annually in spring. Mulch in first winter. Protect from heat. Propagate by division, seed.
About This Plant
Good choice for accents, beds, borders in cottage, meadow, natural gardens. Good for cutting; sear cut stems. Aphid, northern root-knot nematode and bacterial blight, downy mildew susceptible.
Warning:
Foliage and seeds of Papaver orientale are reported to be somewhat toxic with low hazard of poisoning if eaten.
For safety, avoid planting in gardens frequented by pets or children.
A prohibited plant in some governmental jursidictions.