Macleaya

( mak - LAY - uh )

At-A-Glance Information

Commonly called Plume Poppy or Tree Celandine, this genus of flowering perennials includes species that require light shade in warm climates and regular waterings to perform well in the garden. They are native to China and Japan, and produce spikes of tassle flowers in summertime. They spread by underground rhizomes and have a tropical look to them, valued for their size and structure. Grow these plants in mixed beds and borders, as members of pollinator or woodland landscapes, or simply as specimens for their unique flowers. Take care when planting these in the landscape, as plant parts are toxic to humans and pets if ingested.

Macleaya Species and Varietals

The genus Macleaya is a member of the plant family Papaveraceae and includes two or three species. Plants in this genus are related to those in Papaver (Poppy). The genus is named for the Scottish-Australian entomologist Alexander Macleay. Plume Poppy growing zones vary depending on the species. For more information, see the descriptions below. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Macleaya cordata (Five-Seeded Plume Poppy, Tree-Celandine, Boluohui, 博落回)
This species grows best in USDA hardiness zones 3-9 or Sunset growing zones A2, A3 and 1-24 and is native to China and Japan. It reaches 7-8 feet tall and 3 feet wide. Leaves are olive-green to greyish-green and flowers are white to buff-beige, blooming in summertime in airy panicles. This species is considered highly invasive in the Mid-Atlantic, Northeast and Southern United States and temperate Europe.

Macleaya x kewensis (Hybrid Plume Poppy)
This cross between Macleaya cordata and Macleaya microcarpa was bred at Kew Gardens. The only cultivar in this hybrid group is 'Flamingo', (pictured) with pink-tinged flowers. Individual plants reach up to 5-6 feet tall with a spread of 3-4 feet. These pants grow well in USDA zones 4-9.

Macleaya microcarpa (Plume Poppy, Coral Plume Poppy, Macleaya, Small-Fruited Plume Poppy)
Best in USDA hardiness zones 4-9 or Sunset growing zones 2b-24, this species has pinkish-beige flowers. Reaches about 7-8 feet tall and 3 feet wide. Cultivars include 'Kelway's Coral Plume' (pictured; with pinker flowers) and 'Summer Haze' (with reddish-mauve plumes). This species is considered invasive in Europe and North America.

Caring for Macleaya

Take care when planting these in the landscape, as plant parts are toxic to humans and pets if ingested. Plant Plume Poppy in full sun to partial shade; ideally they like to get a good amount of sun for best flowering and performance, but they do appreciate some late afternoon shade in warmer climates. Before planting, consider installing a buried rhizome barrier to prevent roots from spreading into areas of the garden where they are not wanted. Soil should be well-draining and have a pH of between 6.1 and 7.8 (slightly acidic, neutral, or slightly alkaline). Soils do not have to be fertile for these plants to thrive; they can do well even in nutrient-poor soils. Space plants at least three feet apart, and make sure they are installed in an area of the garden that can accommodate these large, clump-forming plants; It is best to start out with just one plant to see how aggressively it will spread in the garden. Water new plantings regularly as they establish a strong root system. At maturity, these plants appreciate evenly moist soil. During times of drought, increase waterings. Ensure that plants are not getting overwatered, as this can lead to plant wilt, yellowing, and fungal issues to develop.

Do not fertilize these plants; they can be a bit aggressive in the garden and overly-fertile soils only encourage this tendency. Prune to remove flowering heads after they have faded. These plants will freely re-seed if allowed, and deadheading can go a long way in preventing volunteer seedlings from popping up all around the landscape. Cut plants back all the way to the ground in fall after the first frost of the year kills foliage. Macleaya will also spread via underground suckers, and clumps will need to be divided every few years, especially if they are grown in containers or in a constricted garden space. For instructions on how to divide these plants, see the Propagation section below. These plants are herbaceous perennials that have a typical life span of around a decade under ideal conditions. They will spread via rhizomes and also freely re-seed in the garden, providing plants indefinitely.

Propagation

Macleaya can be propagated either by division or from seed. To ensure that your propagated plant will have the exact same qualities and characteristics as the parent plant, use the division method. If you would like to experiment and see what plant you can grow from seed, just keep in mind that it will not necessarily be the same as the parent plant. To propagate your Plume Poppy plant, follow the instructions below:

Propagating Macleaya by Seed

Keep in mind that the plant you get from seed will not necessarily mimic all of the characteristics of the parent plant. To propagate by seed, you will need a paper bag, a pot or tray filled with well-draining compost or other organic material, a spray bottle and a fork. The best potting medium for seed germination is a light blend of 1/3 pasteurized soil or compost, 1/3 sand, vermiculite or perlite, and 1/3 coconut coir or peat moss.
Harvest your seeds. The seed heads on plants are pretty easy to spot, they're left behind after flowers have faded. Once they have dried out and begun to split open, you can harvest the seeds inside. Cut them off of the plant, placing them in a paper bag. Harvest as many as you can, and place the paper bag in a dry, cool, dark area. They will continue to split open and release the seeds contained inside. Once they have been released, take them out of the bag and put them in a container so you can work with them.
In either late winter or early springtime, get your container prepared. Water your prepared seed tray or pot filled with soil, and ensure that good drainage is occurring. Place your seeds in your prepared pot or seed tray about a quarter inch to a half-inch under the soil surface. Cover them with soil and water with your spray bottle. Place your tray of seeds in a warm area that receives bright, indirect light. A greenhouse is the most ideal climate, but a planting tray inside a window will do as well. Germination usually takes 2-6 weeks from sowing. Once you begin to see seedlings sprout and they are able to be handled, transplant them to their own individual 3-inch pots, filled with the same potting medium as described in Step 1. Loosen the seedlings from the potting medium by digging down with the tines of your fork about an inch and a half, gently working the seedling up until it is out. Then, replant the seedling in its individual pot.
Keep the seedling's potting medium moist, but not wet, by spraying the soil with your spray bottle. Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 65 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring (after the danger of frost has passed), when you can transplant it to its new home.

Propagating Macleaya by Division
This type of propagation is relatively simple; you will need a clean shovel, mulch, fresh soil, compost and pots (only necessary if you will be saving divided plants for transporting elsewhere). Division is best done in very early spring (after the plant has entered dormancy, but before it has begun its new spring growth), and needs to be done every few years regardless of whether you have the goal of propagating the plants for best performance. To propagate by division, follow these steps:

Using a shovel, dig up your existing plant. Start from the outside and work your way in to avoid damaging the root(s). Once you have worked it up out of the ground, lay it out.
Start to tease apart the roots with your fingers. Once the roots are untangled, separate your plant into segments, ensuring that each one has at least one thick root section attached.
Prepare your pot(s) or new planting site(s) with amended, well-draining soil. You can either bring in new soil or simply amend your existing soil with compost to complete this task. Then, plant your divisions and water thoroughly.
Apply a thick layer of mulch over the new planting to protect it from cold weather as it acclimates to its new home. Then, enjoy watching it sprout in the next growing season.

Macleaya seed pods, each typically containing between 4 and 8 seeds.

Macleaya seeds are tiny, flattened, and oval-shaped with pock marked coats.

Problems and Pests

Certain Macleaya species are considered invasive in some regions; see the species descriptions above for more information. Check with local authorities before planting. These plants do not suffer from many pest or disease issues in the landscape, though they can have problems with the following from time to time: