Oriental poppies are now in full bloom in many front gardens, adding a burst of vibrant color and drama. These flowers feature flamboyant, bright orange-red petals, each marked with a dark, almost black blotch at the base, surrounding a regal purple center. Despite their brief flowering period of around ten days, their perennial nature makes them a reliable and rewarding addition to mixed borders, returning year after year.
The poppies grow on stout, hairy stems that can sometimes bend under the weight of their impressive blooms. To prevent this, it is advisable to stake the stems early in the season to provide the necessary support and keep the flowers upright. There is also a wide range of stunning cultivars available. For example, the ‘Royal Wedding’ cultivar produces silky white petals with a dramatic purple blotch at the base, while the beloved ‘Patty’s Plum’ is admired for its maroon, ruffled flowers.
After flowering, oriental poppies can be cut back to tidy up the plant. However, many gardeners prefer to leave the ornamental seedheads in place for their sculptural beauty. Although these cultivars do not grow true from seed, they can be propagated through root cuttings, a task best done in the autumn. To do this, simply dig up the plant, cut healthy roots into 4cm lengths, and plant them in cuttings compost. The parent plant can then be returned to the soil to re-establish itself.
Among annual poppies, the corn poppy (Papaver rhoeas) is perhaps the most iconic. Also known as the field or Flanders poppy, it has become a powerful symbol of remembrance for those lost in war. Its seeds are remarkably resilient, capable of lying dormant for decades until disturbed. During World War I, the upheaval of soil on battlefields in France and Belgium caused these poppies to bloom en masse, inspiring Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae’s famous poem: “In Flanders fields the poppies blow, between the crosses, row on row…”
Another notable species is Papaver somniferum, the opium poppy. Historically associated with the Opium Wars between Britain and China in the 19th century, this species is still cultivated today for medicinal purposes as the natural source of morphine and codeine. In the garden, however, it is prized more for its striking ornamental forms. These hardy annuals are best sown directly into the ground in spring or autumn, as they dislike being transplanted. Varieties such as ‘Black Swan,’ with its finely cut, deeply colored petals, or the heirloom ‘Hungarian Blue,’ known for its simple, silky purple blooms, make bold, beautiful statements.
For gardeners with acidic soil and cooler, damp climates, the elusive Himalayan blue poppy (Meconopsis betonicifolia) might be worth a try. Native to the mountainous regions of Nepal, Tibet, and Myanmar, this rare, short-lived perennial is often considered the “holy grail” of blue flowers. Though notoriously tricky to grow, it thrives in the cooler, wetter conditions of northern England and Scotland. However, even a brief spell of strong sun in dry weather can quickly damage these delicate, captivating blooms.
With their dazzling beauty, fascinating histories, and evocative symbolism, poppies continue to enchant gardeners, poets, and nature lovers alike.
Gardening Tasks for the Week
Plant out young courgettes, pumpkins, and squashes. If you didn’t grow these from seed, there are plenty available in garden centers.
Thin out carrot seedlings and remove the thinned seedlings to prevent their scent from attracting carrot fly. You can cover the area with horticultural mesh to keep this pest away.
Collect seed from candelabra primulas and sow fresh. Pop a few nasturtium seeds in pots for a late summer vibrant display.
Start feeding tomatoes in grow bags with high potash feed to encourage flowers and fruit formation.
Tie in climbing and rambling roses, training them horizontally to encourage side shoots and more flowers.
Water containers, pots, window boxes, and feed them fortnightly.
Train sweet peas and start cutting flowers as they appear to encourage more blooms.
Plan for next spring by sowing seeds of Bellis perennis, polyanthus, pansies, and wallflowers now so they will be in flower in late winter/early spring when little else is blooming.
Protect soft fruit such as gooseberries with netting before the birds start eating them.
Plant of the Week: Sambucus ‘Black Lace’
Elderflowers are producing their distinctive flat heads of scented flowers, and foragers will be gathering these to produce the distinctive cordial. ‘Black Lace’ is a cultivar with finely cut dark purple leaves and pink flowers. It comes as a large deciduous shrub or small tree and is an excellent ornamental plant for smaller gardens. Grown in full sun or partial shade in well-drained soil, the flowers and fruit are valuable to wildlife.
