Oriental Poppy Papaver orientale
- Phonetic Spelling
- pah-pah'-ver o-rien-tà-le
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
-
Papaver orientale generally spreads irregularly. If you try to get rid of this plant and some roots are left, the plant will still most likely come back: it is hard to destroy this plant because the root system is very strong. *However, humidity, clay soils, wet soils (lead to rotted roots or blacked buds), shallow soil (since this plant has long/deep roots), and heat (such as places that get very hot summers) do not suit oriental poppies. After the flower is done blooming, seed pods follow which some people find attractive.
Where to Plant: Needing at least 8 hours of sunlight, oriental poppies are best suited for meadows, rocky slopes, or beds that are cultivated.
When to Plant: Plant in spring (for container plants) or plant in fall (for outside).
Propagation tips: If dividing the plant, do this when oriental poppies are dormant around August.
Insect Pests, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: There are no major insect or diseases for this plant*
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Peter Pan
compact - Watermelon
- Peter Pan
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- Peter Pan
compact - Watermelon
- Peter Pan
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Papaver
- Species:
- orientale
- Family:
- Papaveraceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Seed
- Wildlife Value:
- This plant attracts bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and other wildlife.
- Play Value:
- Wildlife Food Source
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- sandy soil, loamy soil; dry soil; drought tolerant; deer and rabbit; insect and disease (in general)
- Edibility:
- Even though oriental poppies have some toxicity, condiments have been made out of seed heads when they are young.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 0 ft. 6 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil Texture:
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- Usda Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Summer
- Fruit Description:
- Ripening of seeds occur in mid-late summer (July to August).
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Black
- Orange
- Pink
- Purple/Lavender
- Red/Burgundy
- White
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Good Cut
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Size:
- 3-6 inches
- Flower Description:
- Flowers bloom in late spring (generally May-June) or early summer. These big (4-6 inches), showy flowers have black/purple centers surrounded by petals that can be pink, red, white, or orange.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Gray/Silver
- Green
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Description:
- Silvery-green leaves are attractive but look like thistles. After the flowers bloom (spring/summer), the color of the leaves become duller until the leaves die. The leaves come back in fall.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Meadow
- Slope/Bank
- Landscape Theme:
- Cottage Garden
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Rock Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Foundation Planting
- Specimen
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Hummingbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Diseases
- Drought
- Dry Soil
- Insect Pests
- Rabbits
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Poisonous to Humans:
- Poison Severity:
- Low
- Poison Symptoms:
- Toxicity (usually low) to animals has occurred from Papaver plants. Since toxicity has occurred with similar plants, it is suggested this plant has toxicity too. All parts are poisonous including the juice.
- Poison Toxic Principle:
- unknown
- Causes Contact Dermatitis:
- No
- Poison Part:
- Bark
- Flowers
- Fruits
- Leaves
- Roots
- Seeds
- Stems
