About
A strong, deciduous perennial to 90cm tall, with scalloped, bristly, mid-green foliage. Large, ruffled, bowl-shaped white flowers 20cm wide, with dark purple to black central blotches, appear in summer.
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 moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, East-facing, West-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH7
Plant details
Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitBushy
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.5-1 metres
Spread0.5-1 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden
Care notes
CultivationPrefers a deep, fertile, well drained soil in full sun
PruningCut back old flowering stems and leaves after flowering, for a fresh, second flush of foliage in the late summer
PropagationDivide plants in spring, or propagate by seed sown in containers in a cold frame; root cuttings can also be taken in late autumn or early winter
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to aphids
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to downy mildews, powdery mildews, fungal wilts and verticillium wilt