Alphabetical Plant Listing

Poppy Flower: A Burst of Color and History in your Garden

Blue Poppy, California Poppy, Common Poppy, Corn Poppy, Field Poppy, Flanders Poppy, Himalayan Poppy, Iceland Poppy, Opium Poppy, Oriental Poppy, Red Poppy, Shirley Poppy


Poppy flower - a delicate and colorful bloom with a rich history and symbolic meaning.

Poppy flowers are known for their bright colors and striking appearance, making them a popular choice for gardens and floral arrangements. But there is much more to these delicate flowers than meets the eye.

Poppy flowers are fascinating and versatile plants that have played an important role in human history and culture. From their use in medicine and traditional remedies to their ornamental and culinary uses, poppy flowers continue to captivate and inspire people all over the world.

There are about 70 different species of poppy in the Papaver family. Among them, two species have had a particularly significant impact on human and medical history. These are P. rhoeas L. (corn poppy, field poppy, Flanders poppy, or common poppy) and P. somniferum L. (opium poppy).

Poppy Flower: Human History and Culture

  • Poppies have been cultivated for thousands of years for their ornamental and medicinal properties. Ancient Egyptians used poppy flowers in medicinal preparations, while the ancient Greeks and Romans associated flowers with fertility and agriculture.
  • The opium poppy, which contains morphine and other compounds with powerful pain-relieving properties, was first cultivated in Persia (modern-day Iran) around 3,000 years ago. The opium trade became a significant industry, and poppy flowers were used to produce opium and its derivatives for medical and recreational use.
  • In the 19th and early 20th centuries, poppy flowers became associated with the remembrance of fallen soldiers. The tradition began in Canada and the United Kingdom, where poppies were among the only plants that grew on the battlefields of World War I. The poem "In Flanders Fields," written by Canadian physician and Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae in 1915, helped to popularize the use of poppies as a symbol of remembrance.
  • The poppy flower has been the subject of many famous works of art, including the painting "Poppies" by Claude Monet.
  • Poppy flowers are also popular in the world of fashion and design. Their bold colors and distinctive shapes have inspired everything from clothing and jewelry to home decor and art.
  • The California poppy, or Eschscholzia californica, is the official state flower of California. It is a drought-tolerant plant that can thrive in hot, dry conditions.
  • The red poppy is the official flower of the Royal British Legion, a charity that provides support to veterans and their families.

Guide Information

Hardiness 2 - 11
Plant Type Annuals, Perennials
Plant Family Papaver - Poppies
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Late)
Summer (Early,Mid,Late)
Water Needs Low, Average
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Chalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Tolerance Deer, Drought, Rabbit
Attracts Bees
Landscaping Ideas Beds and Borders, Patio and Containers
Garden Styles City and Courtyard, Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow
Compare All Papaver - Poppies Great Plant Combination Ideas with Papaver - Poppies Guides with Papaver - Poppies

Angela Luchianiuc, Shutterstock

While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.

Guide Information

Hardiness 2 - 11
Plant Type Annuals, Perennials
Plant Family Papaver - Poppies
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Late)
Summer (Early,Mid,Late)
Water Needs Low, Average
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Chalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Tolerance Deer, Drought, Rabbit
Attracts Bees
Landscaping Ideas Beds and Borders, Patio and Containers
Garden Styles City and Courtyard, Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow
Compare All Papaver - Poppies Great Plant Combination Ideas with Papaver - Poppies Guides with Papaver - Poppies

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