General Culture:
Best grown in organically rich, fertile, medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun. Performs well in average garden soils as long as drainage is good. This is a cold weather plant that needs a period of winter dormancy, and generally will not grow well south of USDA Zone 7. It is also intolerant of the high summer heat and humidity in the deep South. Mulch in winter until well-established. Tends to self-seed, but seed will not come true and any seedlings therefrom often revert to an orangish color. Therefore, it is best to remove stems of spent flowers before seed forms. Propagation by root cuttings is relatively easy, but plants should otherwise be left undisturbed.
Noteworthy Characteristics:
Oriental poppies are among the most popular poppies available. They are clump-forming plants that most often feature flowers in shades of red, orange and pink. ‘Patty’s Plum’ is somewhat unusual because it features soft plum flowers. Large, solitary, crepe papery, cup-shaped, 4-6” diameter flowers appear on long stalks to 30” tall in late spring to early summer. Each flower has 4-6 plum petals with dark blotches at the bases and a boss of dark purple center stamens. Serrate, thistle-like, grayish-green leaves (to 12” long) are pinnately dissected into lance-shaped segments and have a somewhat weedy appearance. Foliage yellows and dies shortly after flowering, typically leaving a hole in the garden. Basal mats of new leaves appear in fall and overwinter until spring when the foliage puts on a spurt of growth up until the point when the flowers bloom.
Problems:
No serious insect or disease problems. Wet, poorly-drained soils can cause significant problems such as root rot, particularly in winter. Botrytis and powdery mildew may also occur. Plants tend to sprawl and may need support. Leaves a void in the garden in early to mid-summer when plants go dormant.
Uses:
Best in single clumps or small groups in borders. Gypsophila and boltonia have foliage that expands as the summer progresses, and may be effectively interplanted with oriental poppies in order to fill the void left when the poppies go dormant.
© Missouri Botanical
Garden, 2001-2010
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