The oriental poppy is one of the sturdiest and most handsome of perennials. As plants grow older they produce more and more blooms and it is not uncommon to find plants twenty years old or older still producing a gorgeous display.
Wide Variety of Soils
They grow well almost everywhere except the very warmest parts of the country.
The only time to plant, divide or transplant Oriental poppies is during their dormant period or the time of early fall growth—mid-July to October—and the earlier the better, especially in northern regions.
Poppies grow well in a wide variety of soils but prefer a deep, well-drained loam. Heavy clay soil can be made acceptable by the addition of sand, or compost worked into the garden bed, not just in the planting hole.
Roots of Poppies
Merely improving the soil in the hole may cause water to collect there as the surrounding soil forms a “pocket” where excess water may collect.
The roots of Oriental poppies are long and fleshy and may be brittle, so handle them carefully. When planting, hold the crown upright and fill the soil around the roots so that the crown is about 2 inches below the surrounding soil level.
Green leaves will appear after the heat of the summer is over and may stay green all winter. The first winter after planting, mulch with straw or excelsior under the leaves.
Old Clump of Poppies
When dividing an old clump of Oriental poppies, cut apart the crowns to make individual plants.
If more plants are needed, make 6”-inch cuttings from the thicker portions of the roots. Lay these horizontally in the sand and add enough sand to cover them. Protect in a cold frame over the first winter.
Plant in full sun or light shade and allow 2 square feet for each plant. Supplementary watering is needed only in extremely dry regions. Little or no fertilizer is required.
Oriental Poppies
As with other plants, the seed pods should be removed as soon as the petals have fallen and the entire top of the plant cut back after it has turned brown.
Do not be alarmed when leaves turn yellow after flowering as this means the plant is going dormant.
Oriental poppies make fine-cut flowers. Properly treated, they will last from three to seven days.
Cut the flowers in the early morning when they contain a maximum of moisture. Select newly opened flowers and cut stems to the length desired.
Proper Selection of Varieties
Burn the bottom 2” inches of the stem until the end of the stem is well burned, and the tip is like charcoal. Then place in water.
Do not recut the stem without burning it. Some varieties that tend to fade in bright sun will hold their color indoors.
Many exciting colors ranging from brilliant reds to more delicate pastels, are available.
Flowers are single, semi-double, or double, and heights range from 1 to 4 feet. With the proper selection of varieties, the bloom may be had for almost a month, the earliest usually commencing a little before most peonies.
Varieties of Plants
A partial checklist of suggested varieties will guide you in ordering plants:
- Crimson Pompon, double, blood-red;
- Carnival, red and white;
- Cheerio, shell pink;
- Salome, French pink;
- Salmon Glow, salmon-orange, double;
- Curtis Giant Flame, bright red;
- Jessie Curtis, mahogany-red;
- Raspberry Queen, crushed black raspberry;
- Barr’s White, dusty white;
- Golden Promise, gold;
- Burgundy, maroon-red;
- Lavender Glory, pinkish-lavender;
- Lucky, white-edged orange;
- Big Jim, deep red.
44659 by Mark M. Taylor