They are known for their bright orange flowers.
They are just one of thevarious types of poppies.
But manycultivarsexist, offering a variety of colors, including peach, maroon, and salmon.
The Spruce / Leticia Almeida
The blossom petals usually sport a dark blotch at their base.
The large buds nod down at first, but they raise their heads as the flowers unfurl.
This can leave gaps in your planting bed, so design around the poppies accordingly.
The Spruce / Leticia Almeida
Poppies are typically grown from seed planted in spring or fall.
Their glorious blooms are spectacular but brief, then the entire plant begins dying back.
All parts of the plants are toxic to humans, dogs, and cats.
The Spruce / Leticia Almeida
Soil
Grow Oriental poppy in a well-drained, medium-moist soil enriched with compost.
It prefers neutral pH between 6.5 and 7.0.
It dislikes clay soil, so check that to amend the soil well with compost.
The Spruce / Leticia Almeida
Otherwise, water when the soil is dry, but do not overwater, especially during dormancy.
Oriental poppies dislike overly wet soil, particularly when dormant, which can cause the roots to rot.
Fertilizer
Use a slow-release fertilizer in spring.
The Spruce / Leticia Almeida
For the amount to use, follow the product label instructions.
Alternatively, side-dress the soil with compost ormanure tea.
Division can be a little challenging, due to the plant’s deep taproot.
It’s best to do this in late summer, well after the plant has bloomed and become dormant.
How to Grow Oriental Poppies From Seed
Direct sowingis the standard method for growing Oriental poppies.
And that’s all you oughta do.
Nature takes care of the rest.
Terra-cotta pots are best because they let excess moisture evaporate.
Plant the poppy in a container filled with quality potting mix, which usually comes with a slow-release fertilizer.
Water it deeply and keep the soil moist at all times.
Container-grown poppies needwinterizing, as the roots are not sufficiently insulated.
Or move the pot indoors for best protection.
Common Pests & Plant Diseases
Oriental poppies are largely unbothered by pests.
Ensure that Oriental poppies have adequate air circulation and that soil is amended to provide good drainage.
What Do Oriental Poppy Flowers Look and Smell Like?
The pods that succeed the flowers also have an ornamental quality and are dried for floral arrangements and crafts.
Some people describe the scent of Oriental poppy as that resembling almond or vanilla.
How to Encourage More Blooms
Oriental poppies not blooming could have several reasons.
The easiest one to rule out is whether they are getting insufficient sunlight.
Oriental poppies need full sun to bloom.
The soil might be lacking phosphorus, which promotes flowering.
Try abloom-boosting fertilizerthat contains more phosphorus than nitrogen.
Poor drainage or too much water can be another reason why they don’t bloom.
Oriental poppies form dense root clumps over time but they aren’t invasive.
Cutting them back is not needed; the foliage dies back on its own after flowering.
It depends when you sow the seeds.
North Carolina State University Extension.
Plants Toxic to Cats.
BBC Gardeners' World Magazine.
North Carolina State University Extension.
