Papaver orientale ‘Patty’s Plum’ (Oriental Poppy)

Perhaps one of the most unusual, Oriental Poppy ‘Patty’s Plum’ (Papaver orientale) features soft plum, crepe papery, cup-shaped flowers with dark blotches at their bases and a boss of dark purple center stamens. Planted in small groups, its bold blossoms will give a color punch to your borders and draw attention from late spring to early summer!

• Growing in clumps up to 24-30 in. tall (60-75 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) is 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.