The vibrant colors of Oriental poppies make them one of the most valuable garden perennials.
They shrug off the cold, go dormant in midsummer, and burst into a magnificent display that is as breathtaking at several hundred paces as it is at arm’s length in late May and early June.
In addition, the foliage is lush and attractive from early spring to late June and again from September until severe cold weather comes.
Oriental poppies should be planted and divided only during their dormant period or during fall growth: August 1 to October.
Where To Plant Oriental Poppies In The Garden
Plant Oriental poppies in mellow garden loam in full sun, if possible, though a half day of full sun exposure is acceptable.
The foliage needs light and air until after bloom time; then, it is all right if annuals or other plants grow up nearby to hide the maturing poppy leaves.
Chrysanthemums and hardy asters are good perennial companions for Oriental poppies, and they reward with fall bloom from the same part of the garden.
In the same area, you may interplant annuals like marigolds, zinnias, snapdragons, and annual asters for summer color.
All-important to the poppies: Leave the foliage to mature until it has turned yellow. Then it may be cut off at the soil.
How To Plant
On receipt of an Oriental poppy root, dig a hole three inches deeper than the length of the root, and loosen the soil at the bottom.
Hold the root upright with the crown three inches below the ground level, and fill in the soil up to the level of the top or crown of the root.
Then pour on enough water to settle the soil around the roots, and fill in the last three inches with dry soil.
Forget the planting until the green leaves appear in the fall. If you plant in heavy clay, add generous amounts of sand and leaf mold to the area two and three feet around the poppy.
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