Papaver

( pap - PAY - ver )

At-A-Glance Information

Commonly called Poppy, this genus of flowering herbaceous plants need full sun and moderate water, and provide great spring and summer color to landscapes. These frost-tolerant annuals, biennials, and perennials are native to temperate and cool regions of Eurasia, Africa, and North America. They typically have four to six petals that range in color from red, orange, and yellow to pink, lilac and white. The ovary develops into a rounded seed capsule after flowers fade, and are aesthetically pleasing when left on the plant. Use these flowers in native or pollinator gardens, in cottage or informal landscapes, and to add color to beds, borders, and mixed container plantings. They are great as additions to fresh cut flower arrangements. Take care when planting these flowers in the garden, as plant parts are toxic to humans and pets.

Papaver Species and Varietals

The genus Papaver is the type genus for the plant family Papaveraceae and includes between 70 and 100 distinct species. The best growing zones for Poppy varies depending on the species. For more information, see the descriptions below. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Papaver aculeatum (Bristle Poppy, Orange Poppy, South African Poppy)
These plants are native to Namibia, South Africa, and Lestotho, and have naturalized elsewhere. This is the only species of poppy that is native to the southern hemisphere. It is an annual species, and reaches about 6 feet tall when in bloom. Flowers are reddish-orange and plants can grow in a variety of soil and climate types.

Papaver alpinum (Papaver burseri, Oreomecon alpina) (Alpine Poppy, Dwarf Poppy)
This species is perennial and grows best in zones 1-9 and 14-17, and is native to the Pyrenees, Alps, and Carpathians. It is adapted to cool climates, and needs fast-draining soil. It is great in rock gardens. Foliage is blue-green and flowers come in white, orange, salmon, and yellow, blooming in early springtime or fall. it will self-sow freely.

Papaver arenacium
This species is native to the Caucasus and Caspian regions, and produces reddish-orange flowers with black markings at the base of each petal. In some cases, this dark marking will stretch out to the outer edges of the petals, forming a cross. They generally grow in wetter, richer soils than other species in the genus.

Papaver atlanticum (Moroccan Poppy, Spanish Poppy, Atlas Poppy)
Best in zones 2b-9 and 14-24, this perennial species is native to Morocco. Leaves are grey-green and plants grow to reach 2 feet tall, and flowers bloom in late spring and early summertime. Variety 'Flore Pleno' has semi-double blooms. Seeds should be sown in fall. Remove spent flowers to encourage future blooms.

Papaver bracteatum (Iranian Poppy, Great Scarlet Poppy, Persian Poppy)
This species is a hardy perennial that produces large, deep red flowers up to 8 inches in diameter. Flowering stalks reach up to 4 feet tall when in bloom. Blooms have a prominent black spot at the base of petals. Cultivars include 'Beauty of Livermere' and 'Goliath'.

Papaver californicum (Fire Poppy, Western Poppy)
This species of poppy is endemic to California, and grows in chaparral and oak woodlands, often in places with recent burns. These annuals produce hairless stems topped with orange blooms. Flowers have green bases. Flowers last for a few days at most, and seeds can lie dormant for years. Smoke will usually trigger seeds to break dormancy.

Papaver commutatum 'Lady Bird' (Caucasian Scarlet Poppy)
This species is an annual and grows best in zones 1-24. It is native to Greece, Turkey, Iran and the Caucasus. It reaches 1.5 feet tall and just as wide. Midsummer blooms last for a few weeks, and are bright red with a black blotch in the center of each petal. Sow in late winter or early springtime, or set out plants in the middle of spring.

Papaver croceum (Ice Poppy)
These flowers can reach between 12 and 16 inches tall when in bloom, and produce leaves that are bluish-green. Flowers are solitary and have yellow, orange, reddish or white petals. They are in bloom from June through August. This species is cultivated as a garden ornamental and is native to Siberia, central Asia, and northern areas of China where it grows in pastures, meadows, rocky slopes and in landfill areas.

Papaver dahlianum (Papaver radicatum) (Svalbard Poppy)
This species is native to Greenland and Norway, and is the symbolic flower of Svalbard. These plants reach between 4 and 10 inches tall when in bloom. Leaves form a basal rosette of green foliage. Flowers are yellow to white.

Papaver glaucum (Tulip Poppy, Turkish Tulip, Turkish Red Poppy)
This species is native to the Middle East, and reaches about 35 inches tall when in bloom. Flowers are rich red with black spots in the center of petals. Inner petals stick straight up, like those of a Tulip (Tulipa), and outers are more open. 
Papaver nudicaule (Iceland Poppy)
These flowers are native to subpolar regions in Asia and North America. They are hardy but short-lived perennial plants, and are often grown as biennials. Slightly fragrant flowers are large and comprised of papery white or yellow petals. The specific epithet nudicaule means 'with bare stems', referring to the hairless stems of this species. There are many cultivars of this species with varying petal colors, including yellow, orange, salmon, pink, rose, cream and white, some with bicolored flower heads. Strains include:
Champagne Bubbles
A 15-inch tall plant with orange, pink, scarlet, apricot, yellow, and cream-white.
Wonderland
A dwarf 10-inch tall strain with 4-inch wide flowers.
Flamenco
Flowers come in shades of pink and are bordered with white, up to 1.5-2 feet tall.
Party Fun
Up to a foot tall, these bloom in fall their first year and in spring their second.
Meadow Pastels
To two feet tall.
Matador
Produces scarlet flowers 5 inches in diameter on a 16-inch tall plant.
Victory Giants
With red petals.
Summer Breeze Orange
An orange-flowering dwarf variety.
Papaver orientale (Oriental Poppy)
This perennial grows best in zones A1-A3, 1-11 and 14-21 and is native to the Caucasus, northeast Turkey, and northern Iran. These plants need a bit of winter chill for the best performance. Height ranges from 16 inches to 4 feet tall depending on the variety. Plant spread by offsets to 2 feet or more, and flowers are crinkled and often have a dark spot at the base of each petal. There are many varieties, and they have flower colors in orange, scarlet, red, pink, salmon or white. They bloom late spring to early summer and then die back to the ground. New foliage will return in fall, last through winter, and quicken its growth in spring, before the plant puts out new flowers. Popular garden cultivars are listed and described below.
Aaglaja
Barr's White
Carnival
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Cedric Morris
Effendi
Fatima
With white and pink picotee flower petals.
John III
Karine
Olympia
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Papillon
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Patty's Plum
Perry's White
Picotee
Pinnacle
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Royal Wedding
Watermelon

Papaver pygmaeum (Alpine Glacier Poppy)
These flowering perennials are native to British Colombia, Alberta, Calgary and Montana. These plants reach up to 5 inches tall and produce yellow, orange-pink or orange flowers with a yellow spot on petals. These low-growers prefer mountain habitats and alpine climates. They prefer rocky soils.

Papaver radicatum (Arctic Poppy, Rooted Poppy, Yellow Poppy)
These plants are native to Europe, North America, and Aisa, where it grows in arctic and alpine zones. They have yellow or white flowers and hairy stems. Cup-shaped flowers grow to face the sun, reflecting light inward to warm their ovaries. 

Papaver rhoeas (Flanders Field Poppy, Shirley Poppy, Common Poppy, Corn Poppy, Odai, Corn Rose)
This species of Poppy is an annual and grows in zones A1-A3 and 1-24. It is native to Eurasia and North Africa, and reaches 3 feet tall and a food wide. Flowers are single or semi-double and come in white, pink, red, orange, salmon, scarlet, lilac, blue, and can be bicolored. This species is a notorious self-seeder.

Papaver setigerum (Poppy of Troy, Dwarf Breadseed Poppy)
This species produces a plant that reaches between 8 and 32 inches tall when in bloom. Stems are erect and leaves are green and simple. Flowers are cup-shaped and pink-purple with dark purple blotches at petal bases. Flowers bloom from May through June. These plants grow well in Mediterranean climates and are native to 

Papaver somniferum (Opium Poppy, Breadseed Poppy)
This species is an annual that grows in all zones, and and self-sow or overwinter in mild-winter areas. It is the type species of the genus, and is native to southeastern Europe and western Asia. These plants reach 4 feet tall with late-spring flowers in white, pink, red, purple and deep plum, and usually have double blooms. Large seed capsules that follow are showy and commonly used in dried arrangements. The seeds of this variety are used in baking.

Papaver umbonatum (Semitic Poppy)
These flowers are commonly mistaken for the common poppy, Papaver rhoeas, due to their similar form and appearance. They are native to Turky, Syria, Lebanon and Israel, where they typically grow in rocky plains. Flowers are orange-red with black marks towards petal bases. 

Caring for Papaver

Poppies need well-draining soil and to be fed lightly until they are established. 

Propagation

Problems and Pests

Gallery

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A field of thea sinensis
Camellia hiemalis 'Shishi Gashira'

Videos

A video all about growing camellias successfully
Propagating camellias

Resources

Wikipedia: Papaver
The New Sunset Western Garden Book: The Ultimate Gardening Guide (2012) - Pages 472 - 473, Papaver
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