Poppies
Papaver orientale

Papaver orientale is a perennial species, 40 cm to 1 m tall, with flowers sometimes exceeding 15 cm in diameter and colors ranging from red to orange to light pink to white. The leaves are covered with dense hair and form a rosette from which the stems carrying the buds sprout in May-June.
The root is a rather long taproot, therefore these plants do not like neither transplantations nor stagnant water. On the other hand they tolerate droughts very well, also because they tend to go to rest during the summer.
During the summer rest the whole aerial part of the plant dries up: therefore they should be combined with plants developing later to fill the holes left in mixed borders or flowerbeds. In autumn the plant produces a new rosette of leaves which in some cases can bloom again. To extend the bloom it is advisable to cut the stems at the base as soon as the petals have fallen; each plant will produce 20 to 30 floral stems in 2-3 years.
It is advisable to leave a distance of 50-60 cm between the plants.

Exposure: these plants love the sun and do not fear the cold.

Watering: thanks to the taproot they tolerate droughts well but suffer from excess water; however, water should not be scarce immediately before bloom. During the summer, when the plant goes to rest, it is useless and harmful to keep watering it.

Soil: these plants love loose, well drained soil, slightly calcareous, not too rich and fertilized.

Propagation: usually oriental poppies are propagated through root piping or through division of the taproot, to be done in autumn. It is advisable to use sharp, disinfected tools.

Diseases: they do not suffer from particular diseases, even if in very humid years or places care must be taken to avoid oidium.

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