About
An annual to 60cm high, with divided, light green downy leaves. In late spring to early summer, double flowers with dainty papery petals in a combination of shades from dark burgundy to pale pinkish-red with silvery stripes on the lower petals are produced on slender stems.
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 pHAlkaline, Neutral, Acid
Soil moistureWell-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH7
Plant details
Plant typeAnnual Biennial
HabitClump forming
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.5-1 metres
Spread0.5-1 metres
Time to full height1-2 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Gravel garden, Wildflower meadow, Wildlife gardens, Coastal
Care notes
CultivationGrow in fertile well-drained soil in full sun
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