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Papaver orientale ‘Queen Alexandra’ (Oriental Poppy)

Oriental Poppy 'Queen Alexandra', Poppy 'Queen Alexandra'

Papaver Orientale 'Queen Alexandra', Oriental Poppy 'Queen Alexandra', Poppy 'Queen Alexandra', Pink Poppy, Pink Oriental Poppy, Pink Papaver Orientale
Papaver Orientale 'Queen Alexandra', Oriental Poppy 'Queen Alexandra', Poppy 'Queen Alexandra', Pink Poppy, Pink Oriental Poppy, Pink Papaver Orientale
Papaver Orientale 'Queen Alexandra', Oriental Poppy 'Queen Alexandra', Poppy 'Queen Alexandra', Pink Poppy, Pink Oriental Poppy, Pink Papaver Orientale

Oriental Poppy ‘Queen Alexandra’ (Papaver orientale) features large, crepe papery, cup-shaped, bright salmon-pink flowers with a dark eye and black splotches at their base. Borne on strong stems from late spring to early summer, the satiny flowers provide a lovely floral display year after year.

  • Growing in clumps up to 30 in. tall (75 cm) and spreading 18-24 in. (45-60 cm), the flowers are generally 4-6 in. wide (10-15 cm) and rise on long stalks clad with thistle-like, silvery-green leaves.
  • Prefers full sun to very light shade and enjoys rich, fertile, medium moisture, well-drained soils. Average garden soils are acceptable as long as drainage is good. This plant doesn’t respond well to high summer heat and humidity. Mulch in winter until well established.
  • Easy to grow, long-lived, and virtually care-free, it is also deer and rabbit tolerant.
  • Perfect for borders and beds, rock gardens, and cottage gardens. This plant goes dormant after flowering. Combining it with Baby’s Breath (Gypsophila paniculata), Russian sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia), or Shasta Daisy (Chrysanthemum x superbum) as a superb way of filling the gaps left by the dormant poppies.
  • The seedpods that follow the fading flowers are also quite attractive and can be used in dried flower arrangements, or left in the garden for the visual interest they bring.
  • This Oriental Poppy may be grown from seed and tends to self-seed in the garden.
  • The best time to plant poppies is in the fall. Container-grown plants can be planted in spring.

Requirements

Hardiness 3 - 7
Heat Zones 1 - 9
Climate Zones 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, A1, A2, A3
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Papaveraceae
Genus Papaver
Common names Poppy, Oriental Poppy
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Late)
Summer (Early)
Height 2' - 3'
(60cm - 90cm)
Spread 1' - 2'
(30cm - 60cm)
Spacing 18" - 24"
(50cm - 60cm)
Maintenance Average
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained, Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Cut Flowers, Showy
Tolerance Drought, Deer, Rabbit
Attracts Butterflies, Hummingbirds, Bees
Garden Uses Beds And Borders
Garden Styles Japanese Garden, Informal and Cottage
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Alternative Plants to Consider

Papaver somniferum (Paeoniiflorum Group) ‘Schwarzer Drachen’ (Opium Poppy)
Papaver bracteatum (Great Scarlet Poppy)
Papaver somniferum ‘Drama Queen’ (Opium Poppy)
Papaver somniferum ‘Blue Moon’ (Opium Poppy)
Papaver somniferum (Paeoniiflorum Group) ‘Candy Floss’ (Opium Poppy)
Papaver somniferum (Paeoniiflorum Group) ‘Black Paeony’ (Opium Poppy)

Recommended Companion Plants

Gypsophila paniculata (Baby’s Breath)
Iris sibirica ‘Caesar’s Brother’ (Siberian Iris)
Geranium ‘Brookside’ (Cranesbill)
Alchemilla mollis (Lady’s Mantle)

Find In One of Our Guides or Gardens

August Birth Flower: What is my Birth Flower?
18 Types of Poppies to Discover
Best Annual Flowers For Your Vegetable Garden
Poppy Flower: A Burst of Color and History in your Garden
Papaver orientale (Oriental Poppy)
Papaver somniferum (Opium Poppy)
Plants with Purple Flowers to Add Charm to Your Garden
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.
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Requirements

Hardiness 3 - 7
Heat Zones 1 - 9
Climate Zones 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, A1, A2, A3
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Papaveraceae
Genus Papaver
Common names Poppy, Oriental Poppy
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Late)
Summer (Early)
Height 2' - 3'
(60cm - 90cm)
Spread 1' - 2'
(30cm - 60cm)
Spacing 18" - 24"
(50cm - 60cm)
Maintenance Average
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained, Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Cut Flowers, Showy
Tolerance Drought, Deer, Rabbit
Attracts Butterflies, Hummingbirds, Bees
Garden Uses Beds And Borders
Garden Styles Japanese Garden, Informal and Cottage
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Papaver (Poppy)
Guides with
Papaver (Poppy)
Not sure which Papaver (Poppy) to pick?
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