How to Grow and Care for Oriental poppy

Oriental poppy, also known as Great scarlet poppy

Oriental poppy thrives in well-drained soil and full sunlight, two critical factors for its growth. It is essential to avoid waterlogged conditions, especially in winter, to prevent root rot. Moreover, deadheading spent blooms can encourage additional flowering and prevent excessive self-seeding. The plant has a rest phase post blooming and may need protection from excessive winter wetness in colder climates.

Watering schedule: Every week

Sunlight Requirements: Full sun

Toxic to Humans

In This Article

Planting and Growing Oriental poppy

Toughness	High
Care Level	Medium
Care Difficulty	Easy
Lifespan	Perennial, Annual
Watering Schedule	Every week
Sunlight Requirements	Full sun
Soil Type	Garden Soil
Soil pH	6-7.5
Planting Time	Spring
Hardiness Zones	6-8
Toxicity	Toxic to Humans

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Varieties of Oriental poppy

Oriental poppy 'Burning Heart'

The ornamental oriental poppy 'Burning Heart' is named for its dark pink double-blooms, which nest one set of petals inside another. They are a rather tall cultivar of the ornamental poppy reaching up to 60 cm, and gardeners use them in pots, beds and borders, where they grow in clumps.

Oriental poppy 'Bolero'

Uniquely colored compared to other poppies, oriental poppy 'Bolero' grows large, long-living flowers. Cultivated from other varieties of poppy, this cultivar was named after its likeness to flowing bolero dance skirts. Oriental poppy 'Bolero''s bold-colored petals and "button," ease of care, and long-lasting blooms are what make it popular among gardeners.

Oriental poppy 'Turkenlouis'

Oriental poppy 'Turkenlouis' is a garden favorite poppy with a huge showy double-petaled flower whose orange-red flowers have distinctive fringed petal tips. By contrast, the parent plant has petals that aren't fringed. This late spring and early summer flowering plant is highly disease and pest resistant and grows well on most types of garden soil.

Oriental poppy 'Helen Elizabeth'

Ornamental poppy oriental poppy 'Helen Elizabeth' is a soft and feminine pale pink, which has perhaps inspired its lovely name. These poppies are easy to plant and care for, and are enjoyed both in gardens and as showy cut flowers in arrangements.

Oriental poppy 'Royal Wedding'

Hardy to the cold, the oriental poppy 'Royal Wedding' is a self-seeding poppy cultivar. It is also considered easy and fast-growing, but doesn't withstand incredible summer heat and humidity well. Compact and upright, the oriental poppy 'Royal Wedding' will make a good cut flower for borders and containers.

Common Pests & Diseases

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The Toxicity of Oriental poppy

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More General Info About Oriental poppy

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Oriental poppy features striking large, cup-shaped blossoms that can be up to 6 inches (15 cm) in diameter and come in vibrant hues of orange, red, and pink with pronounced black centers. The blooms are showcased in early summer, from June to July. Its foliage consists of finely cut, gray-green leaves that have a delicate, feathery appearance. After the flowering period, the foliage recedes, and a basal rosette of leaves persists through the cooler months. This perennial typically reaches heights of 2 to 3 feet (60 to 90 cm).