Apricot Oriental Poppy

Papaver orientale
Also known as Oriental Poppy

$5.00

In stock

Description

On my quest for cold hardy perennial flowers to grow in our garden, Oriental poppies easily topped my list. They have the same delicate crepe-like petals as annual poppies, except much, much larger blooms (6-8″ wide!). A row of ruffly pink Oriental poppies really make an impression. We often think of poppies as being ephemeral, but not these tough perennial beauties. They bloom in the summer for a good 1-2 months, go to seed, then return again the following spring, even bigger and stronger. No bed prep or resowing needed (unless you want more of them of course)!

With most perennial plants, patience is the name of the game. Oriental poppies need time to establish and most likely will not bloom the first year and the first blooms will be small. But by the third year, they hit their stride, and you’ll be rewarded with huge blooms on sturdy stems. Oriental poppies are deer-resistant and make excellent border flowers.

Oriental poppies come in shades of red, orange, burgundy, pink, and white. Some have bluish pollen that look very striking. The flowers of this variety are apricot toned, with velvety purple centers.

Details

Lifecycle: Perennial
Lifespan: 5+ years up to decades
Hardiness zones: 3 – 9 (USDA)
Habitats: Meadows in sub-alpine zones and on stony slopes in the lower mountain zone
Plant size: 3 ft tall x 2 ft wide
Light: Full sun to part shade
Soil: Well-drained, moist soil
Water: Keep moist
Seeds per packet: 125+ seeds

Seed Starting

Oriental poppy seeds benefit from at least 2-4+ weeks moist cold stratification. If you live in a climate with cold winters, it’s best to sow the seeds in the fall when temps begin to drop. Gently press seeds into soil. Do not cover; light is required for germination. Transplant after last frost. Space 2 – 3 feet apart.

    Cultivation

    As cold hardy plants, they prefer cooler temperatures and need a nice long winter nap to store up energy for the next season. Water when the soil is dry in late summer, but do not let plant roots stand in water for long periods, which can create rot.

    Harvest

    Cut stems in early morning when the buds are just unfolding, searing the stem’s cut end to stop the milky sap.

    Propagation

    Oriental poppies can be propagated by seed or division. They are self-fertile and produce many seeds, but it takes 2-3 years for plants to reach full size when grown from seed. I prefer propagating poppies by seeds because poppies roots are quite long and division is tricky. Once plants are established (4-5 years) root division can be taken. Root division can be performed in late summer, but make sure the soil is wet enough to dig without damaging the deep taproot, which can reach up to 12 inches. Carefully dig up the entire plant clump and cut it vertically, keeping one or more eyes plus some taproot and stem on each division.

    Seed Saving

    Seeds can be collected in August/September when the pods are completely dry. Thresh by cutting the top of the pods off and pour them upside down into a container. If cleaner seeds are desired, screen with a fine mesh sieve and winnow as necessary.

    Additional information

    Weight0.007 lbs
    Dimensions4.5 × 3.25 × .05 in

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