How To Grow Oriental Poppy (Papaver) [Growing Guide]

Oriental Poppies (Papaver Orientale) are stunning perennials celebrated for their bold elegance and remarkable resilience. Growing Poppies from bare roots is not only easy but also incredibly rewarding, bringing bursts of vibrant colour to your wildflower garden year after year. Ready to grow your own? Follow these steps and tips for planting Poppies in the UK.

Quick guide:

• Planting season: Early spring or autumn

• Blooming season: Late spring to early summer

• Place: Full sun

• Soil: Well-drained soil

• Water: Water well once after planting and maintain even soil moisture

• Fertiliser: Balanced, slow-release fertiliser each spring

• Mulch: A layer of organic mulch

5 Types Of Perennial Oriental Poppy Species

Before we walk you through the steps, let us show you five beautiful varieties of perennial Poppies to grow:

1. Papaver Marlene: The Oriental Poppy plant 'Marlene' is celebrated for its striking, deep lilac-purple flowers, which bloom from late spring to early summer. This variety is noted for its sturdy stems and compact growth habit, making it a resilient garden addition.

2. Papaver White Ruffles: Papaver 'White Ruffles' has pure, crystal white blooms. This variety is distinguished by the intriguing way its petals are deeply ruffled, giving them a soft, tissue-like texture.

3. Papaver Garden Glory: Papaver Garden Glory graces the garden with frilly, papery, salmon-pink flowers and striking black centres. The flowers are perfect as cut flowers and add a touch of elegance to floral arrangements.

4. Papaver Patty's Plum: Papaver Patty's Plum features soft plum, cup-shaped flowers with dark spots at the base and a centre of dark purple stamens. Its bold and unique blooms create a striking display of colour on your borders.

5. Papaver Picotee: Papaver Picotee's satiny flowers have bright orange to red edges that contrast beautifully with creamy white centres. This captivating Poppy variety is taller than others and graces the garden with its strong stems.

Fun fact: Papaver is recognised by an array of everyday names, including Flanders Poppy, Corn Poppy, Field Poppy, or Common Poppy.

How To Grow Poppies (Papaver Orientale)

When To Plant Poppies In The UK?

The ideal time to plant bare-root Oriental Poppies is in early spring or autumn. These stunning perennials, with their glorious blooms, need to undergo a period of dormancy, allowing them to establish strong roots. Oriental Poppies will then bloom from late spring to early summer.

Where To Plant Poppies

Choose a sunny spot in your garden or flower beds that receives full sun. Oriental Poppies thrive when they receive at least six hours of direct sunlight daily.

What Is The Right Garden Soil?

Oriental Poppies grow best in well-drained soil, which is crucial for their health and vibrancy. If your garden has heavy clay soil, improve its drainage by mixing in organic compost or sand to improve the drainage.

How To Plant Poppies

1. Loosen the soil to a depth of about 30-38 cm (12–15 inches) and mix in compost or well-rotted manure. This will help improve soil fertility and drainage.

2. Space the roots about 46-61 cm (18–24 inches) apart to give each plant enough room to grow.

3. Plant the bare roots so that the crown (the point where the roots meet the stem) is just below the soil surface, about 2.5-5 cm (1–2 inches) deep.

4. Spread the roots outward in the hole and gently cover them with soil. Do not plant the crown too deep, as this can cause rot.

How Much Water Do Poppies Need

After planting your Oriental Poppies, give them a splash of water to ensure the soil settles tightly around the roots. Keep the soil moist but never waterlogged. Once your Oriental Poppies are established, they are somewhat drought tolerant.

Do Poppies Need Mulch

Add a layer of organic mulch around your Oriental Poppy plants. This will retain moisture in the soil and effectively suppress weed growth.

Which Fertiliser Do I Need To Add

For optimal growth, feed your Oriental Poppy with a balanced, slow-release fertiliser each spring. It's important to avoid high-nitrogen fertilisers, as they can promote foliage at the expense of flowers.

What To Do With Poppies After Flowering In The UK

Deadhead your Oriental Poppies by removing spent flowers to promote more flowers and control self-seeding of the Poppy seeds (if desired). This allows you to manage the spread of your beloved Poppies in the garden.

Tip: Leave some seed pods (seed heads) to dry for dried flower arrangements.

How Do Poppies Overwinter

In cooler climates, be sure to add mulch in the winter to protect the roots from freezing.

Are Poppies Sensitive For Pests And Diseases

Oriental Poppies are generally free from pest issues. However, they may be susceptible to powdery mildew if grown in less than full sun. In addition, poor drainage and excessive watering can lead to root rot. Adequate air circulation and good soil drainage should be prioritised.

How To Propagate Poppies

You can propagate Oriental Poppies by division in late summer after the plant becomes dormant. Follow these steps:

1. Carefully dig up the plant.

2. Divide the clump, ensuring each section contains one or more eyes and some taproot and stem.

3. Replant the sections with the tops about 8 cm (3 inches) below the soil line.

4. Water them well and maintain consistent moisture.

Explore DutchGrown’s High-Quality Papaver Collection

Growing Oriental Poppies is rewarding and will add stunning beauty to your garden. At DutchGrown, you will find a high-quality collection of Oriental Poppies. Whether you prefer the red Oriental Poppy or the mysterious purple ones. Discover our Oriental Poppy collection now and start planting in early spring or autumn. We ship from Holland to all over the UK.