Oriental Poppy (mix)

Oriental Poppy (colour mixture).
Large and graceful inflorescences!
A very showy, luxuriant perennial. In the spring it grows early, standing out in the flower garden with juicy carved greenery.
Differs in large, brilliant flowers and powerful, steady peduncles.
Flowering occurs in early summer and lasts 3 weeks. Under favorable conditions, it can bloom again in early autumn.
Flowering: Mai-June.
Hardiness zone: Z3-Z8.
Height: 60-80 cm.

William Jabez Muckley.

Perennial growing to 1m by 0.75m . It is hardy to zone 3 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from May to June, and the seeds ripen from July to August.
The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Bees. The plant is self-fertile. It is noted for attracting wildlife.
We rate it 1 out of 5 for usefulness. The plant prefers light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils, requires well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil.
The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It requires dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.
Habitats and Possible Locations: Meadow, Cultivated Beds.
Prefers a well-drained sandy loam in a sunny position. Succeeds in an ordinary good soil and in dry soils, tolerating drought when established.
Plants prefer a deep soil that is poor and dry rather than rich, they dislike moist conditions.
Plants can be grown in quite coarse grass, which can be cut annually in the autumn.
A deep-rooting and almost indestructible plant, every scrap of the running root system that is left in the ground can grow into a new plant.
There are many named varieties selected for their ornamental value. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer or rabbits. A good bee plant.

Propagation Seed: sow June in an outdoor seedbed. Plant into permanent positions in September. Seed can also be sown in spring and may then flower in late summer.
Division in March or October with care. Another report suggests that division is very simple. Larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions.
We have found that it is better to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in light shade in a cold frame until they are well established before planting them out in late spring or early summer.
Root cuttings 10 cm long, November/December in a cold frame.

Daniel Ridgway Knight.

Eng.: Oriental Poppy. Bot. syn.: Papaver bracteatum.