About
A bushy annual poppy to 60cm high, with grey-green, delicately cut leaves. Large, rich red flowers, with upright petals in the centre and a small black blotch in the base, are borne on hairy, upright stems in summer, and followed by rounded seed capsules.
About the 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
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun
Soil typeChalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureWell-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH5
Plant details
Plant typeAnnual Biennial
HabitBushy
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.5-1 metres
Spread0.5-1 metres
Time to full height1 year
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden, Gravel garden, Wildflower meadow
Care notes
CultivationGrow in an open, sunny spot in well-drained soil. Dislikes root disturbance
PruningDeadhead after flowering if seed is not required
PropagationPropagate by seed sown in situ in autumn or spring
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to aphids
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to downy mildews, powdery mildews, fungal wilts and verticillium wilt