About

Slender, upright stems bear loose clusters of 2-5 bright yellow flowers, with fine-textured, poppy-like petals, from late spring into summer. A biennial or short-lived perennial, to around 50cm high, with basal rosettes of long, deeply lobed and toothed green leaves. Plants produce yellow latex when cut.

About the genus

A genus of poppy-like flowering plants native to the Himalayas and Western China. They produce a basal rosette of blue-green thistle-leaf like foliage and bright yellow flowers

Growing conditions

SunlightFull sun
Soil typeChalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH5

Plant details

Plant typeAnnual Biennial, Herbaceous Perennial
HabitClump forming
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.5-1 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height1-2 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden, Gravel garden, Wildflower meadow

Care notes

CultivationThrives in full sun in moist but well-drained soil. Protect from excess winter wet
PruningNo pruning required
PropagationPropagate by seed; plants often self-seed in place
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free