Common poppy

The common poppy is an annual herbaceous plant with a deep tap root. It grows upright, reaching an average height of 20 to 24 inches. However, there are also smaller varieties that grow to a height of 7.87 to 11.81 inches and look particularly good in pots. The strong, slender flowers stems of the common poppy are covered with bristly hairs.

The distinctive leaves of Papaver rhoeas are pinnately lobed with serrated margins. They are alternately arranged on the stems and have a coarse feel due to the bristly hairs.

The common poppy flowers from May to June/July with the individual flowers surviving on the plant for a maximum of three days, but new flowers are constantly generated. The wild plant adorns itself with striking red bowl-shaped flowers with a black center. Although rare, they sometimes have a natural pink or white color. The terminal flowers are up to 4.72 inches in size. The wafer-thin petals of Papaver rhoeas are reminiscent of crinkled silk. As a bee-friendly plant, the common poppy attracts plenty of insects during its flowering period.

The decorative seed heads of the common poppy are almost as well known as the flowers. After flowering, the plant develops ovate capsules, or to be more precise: “pore capsules” that contain a number of small, black seeds. In suitable locations, the common poppy self-seeds and comes back every year.

If you’re looking to plant the common poppy in a specific area, it’s best to choose a sunny and warm spot. Papaver rhoeas does not do well in the shade. Sheltered locations prevent the delicate petals from being blown away prematurely.

The common poppy has modest soil requirements: It grows best in dry, moderately nutritious soil, which should be loose and permeable thanks to a high sand content. Papaver rhoeas does very well in soils with a high lime content.

The common poppy can be sown directly into open ground in March and April. The tiny seeds are light germinators and should therefore only be lightly pressed into the ground, not covered with soil. The stock should later be thinned out with a distance of 7.87 inches to 9.84 inches between the young plants.

The common poppy is very low maintenance when planted in the garden. If you want to prevent the plants from coming back the following year or spreading too much, cut the flowers off before they develop seeds. It is advisable to remove wilted flowers regularly from plants in both pots and flower beds. This stimulates and extends the flowering period. Potted plants should be watered daily, but you only need to worry about those in the garden during prolonged dry periods.

Due to its natural look and excellent suitability as a pasture for bees, the common poppy is practically made for or corners of the garden, flower beds, and borders that are close to nature. They look wonderful when sown over a large area, or as pops of bright red in mixed flower beds. Other arable plant species and native wild plants like the cornflower (Centaurea cyanus) or corncockle (Agrostemma githago) make good companions. Those who like variety in their garden combine the common poppy with other annuals, such as candytuft (Iberis umbellata). And short grasses provide a pretty frame around it all.

There are a number of varieties of Papaver rhoeas available in stores. They mainly differ in flower color and shape. The single-flower varieties are similar to the wild species and are commonly grown in nature gardens. The more striking double-flowered varieties create colorful accents that captivate even in mixed flower beds. The variety ‘Pierrot’ is a real eye-catcher, every petal is adorned with an additional black spot. The variety ‘Mother of Pearl’ grows a good 25 inches tall with a wonderful dusty pink color and sometimes an elegant light violet: It joins an ever-increasing range of common poppies in pastel colors, which have been extremely popular among garden owners for several years now.

The common poppy is propagated from seed in spring. You can collect your own seeds in summer or use seeds from specialist stores.

The common poppy is only affected by plant diseases in extremely wet conditions: Papaver rhoeas is then susceptible to mildew and poppy blight. The plant is occasionally infested by aphids.