About
An annual poppy, to 60cm high, with delicately cut, light green leaves with fine silvery hairs. In late spring to early summer, ruffled, single or semi-double flowers are produced on slender stems, in shades of silver and grey-blue.
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 hardinessH7
Plant details
Plant typeAnnual Biennial
HabitBushy
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.5-1 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height1 year
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Patio and container plants, Wildflower meadow, Wildlife gardens
Care notes
CultivationGrow in a sunny spot in well drained soil, with plenty of organic matter dug in before sowing
PruningDeadhead to prolong flowering
PropagationPropagate by seed, sown successionally and in situ from early spring. Thin seedlings as required, but they do not like to be transplanted. Leave some plants to seed after flowering to provide replacements for the next year
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to aphids
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to downy mildews, powdery mildews, fungal wilts and verticillium wilt