Papaver somniferum ‘Sissinghurst White’ (Opium Poppy)
Opium Poppy 'Sissinghurst White', Papaver 'Sissinghurst White', Breadseed Poppy 'Sissinghurst White', Lettuce Leaf Poppy 'Sissinghurst White'
Found in the White Garden at Sissinghurst Castle, Papaver somniferum ‘Sissinghurst White’ (Opium Poppy) is an upright annual boasting large, cup-shaped, pure white flowers. Blooming for weeks in summer, the ravishing blooms sit on top of sturdy stems clad with deeply-lobed, silvery leaves. They are followed by decorative seed pods that can be used in dried flower arrangements, or left in the garden for the visual interest they bring. Easy to grow, deer resistant, this Opium Poppy will give a color punch to your beds and borders.
- Grows up to 2-3 ft. tall (60-90 cm) and 10-12 in. wide (25-30 cm). This plant self sows, maintaining its presence in the garden.
- Prefers full sun to light shade in any well-drained or moist but well-drained soil. Opium Poppy is drought tolerant.
- Perfect for beds and borders, gravel gardens, cottage gardens or prairies and meadows.
- Opium Poppy attracts bees and butterflies.
- No serious pest or disease issues. Keep an eye out for aphids and downy mildews.
- Deadhead spent flowers if seeding is not desired.
- Propagate by seed in situ during spring.
- Harmful if eaten. This poppy is toxic to humans, cats and dogs. Deer are smart enough to avoid this plant.
- Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling.
- Papaver somniferum is probably native to the eastern Mediterranean, but has now naturalized across much of Europe and Asia.
Requirements
| Hardiness |
3 - 8 |
|---|---|
| Heat Zones |
1 - 8 |
| Climate Zones | 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, A1, A2, A3, H1, H2 |
| Plant Type | Annuals |
| Plant Family | Papaveraceae |
| Genus | Papaver |
| Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
| Season of Interest |
Summer (Early, Mid, Late) |
| Height |
2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm) |
| Spread |
10" - 1' (30cm - 30cm) |
| Spacing | 12" (30cm) |
| Maintenance | Low |
| Water Needs | Low, Average |
| Soil Type | Chalk, Loam, Sand |
| Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
| Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained |
| Characteristics | Dried Arrangements, Cut Flowers, Showy |
| Tolerance | Drought, Deer |
| Attracts | Bees, Butterflies |
| Garden Uses | Beds And Borders |
| Garden Styles | Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow |
Alternative Plants to Consider
Recommended Companion Plants
Find In One of Our Guides or Gardens
Jetacom Autofocus, 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.
Requirements
| Hardiness |
3 - 8 |
|---|---|
| Heat Zones |
1 - 8 |
| Climate Zones | 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, A1, A2, A3, H1, H2 |
| Plant Type | Annuals |
| Plant Family | Papaveraceae |
| Genus | Papaver |
| Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
| Season of Interest |
Summer (Early, Mid, Late) |
| Height |
2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm) |
| Spread |
10" - 1' (30cm - 30cm) |
| Spacing | 12" (30cm) |
| Maintenance | Low |
| Water Needs | Low, Average |
| Soil Type | Chalk, Loam, Sand |
| Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
| Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained |
| Characteristics | Dried Arrangements, Cut Flowers, Showy |
| Tolerance | Drought, Deer |
| Attracts | Bees, Butterflies |
| Garden Uses | Beds And Borders |
| Garden Styles | Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow |
