The Oriental poppy’s showy
flowers appear for at most a week or two in late spring or early summer in
gorgeous shades of red, pink, orange and salmon as well as white. They’re borne
on stems 2 ½ -3 feet high above foliage that looks alas, quite messy as summer
wears on then disappears. They can be grown in a bed by themselves, or tucked
in among later blooming plants whose foliage will fill in and hide that of the
poppies. There are several varieties to choose from, including the pink “Helen
Elizabeth”, “Barr’s White” and “Carmine”, which is red with black markings. The
“Minicap” series will do better than most in hot climates.
We know, you want to know how to
grow poppy? Poppies are planted in late summer or early fall. They rarely need
division, and propagation is best done by taking root cuttings several inches
long. They prefer sun, except in hot climates where some light shade is best
during the hot part of the day. They are not fussy about soil, but poor drainage
will cause them to rot, especially during the winter. Mulching should be
avoided for the same reason. Source: Charismatic Planet
