Papaver
( pap - PAY - ver )
Papaver Species and Varietals
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 alpinum (Papaver burseri) (Alpine 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 atlanticum 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 commutatum 'Lady Bird' 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 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. |
Papaver rhoeas (Flanders Field Poppy, Shirley Poppy) 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 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 native to southeastern Europe and western Asia. It reaches 4 feet tall with late-spring flowers in white, pink, red, purple and deep plum, and are usually double blooms. Large seed capsules that follow blooms are showy and used in dried arrangements. The seeds of this variety are used in baking. |
Caring for Papaver
Poppies need well-draining soil and to be fed lightly until they are established.
Propagation
Problems and Pests
Gallery
Videos
A video all about growing camellias successfully
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Propagating camellias
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Resources
The New Sunset Western Garden Book: The Ultimate Gardening Guide (2012) - Pages 472 - 473, Papaver
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