The pleasures of poppies

Flower & Garden Magazine, April-May, 1996 by Molly Dean

Despite the variety of all of these annual poppies, one characteristic they share is the tiny size of their seeds. This characteristic makes them difficult to scatter, and many gardeners recommend mixing them with twice their amount of fine sand for easier sowing. Others, however, swear by the method of blowing the seeds from the palm of the hand directly onto the soil. All poppies resent root disturbance, so they must be sown where they are to grow. Carefully rake in the seeds, covering them no deeper than one-eighth of an inch.

Annual poppies, usually classified as hardy annuals, should be planted in the fall or very early spring. Keep the soil moist after planting to ensure germination. California poppies are particularly demanding of moisture in the earliest stage of their life, but will tolerate fairly dry conditions once they are sufficiently established.

Perennial poppies are almost as easy to grow as annual types. In the North the Iceland poppy (P. nudicaule) is usually growm as a short-lived perennial, blooming about the same time as bearded irises; in the South it is treated as an annual. To further confuse matters, it is listed in most seed catalogs as a biennial. In whatever manner it is grown, the Iceland poppy is a charming, delicate flower with low, mounded foliage and leafless stems.

The colors of Iceland poppy cultivars, such as `Wonderland' and `Oregon Rainbows,' fall in the orange, yellow, red, salmon and white ranges. Like most poppies, they open quite quickly, shedding their fuzzy green sepals all at once and unfolding their sheer, silky petals to the morning sun.

The Iceland poppy is relatively compact, ranging from 10 to 20 inches in height. It is grown effectively toward the front of the border, particularly the lowest varieties such as `Garden Gnome.' Here in Georgia where I garden, it blooms in early spring, and it is a lovely companion plant for pansies and violas, as well as others of the first spring flowers.

The Iceland poppy is also a good container-grown flower and it is one of the best poppies for cutting. Pick the blossoms early in the morning, just as the buds are getting ready to unfurl; sear the end of the stem with a flame to help hold in the sap. Then place in warm water.

Similar in form and color, but even more delicate, is the tiny Alpine poppy (P. burseri or P. alpinum), with 1- to 1-1/2-inch flowers on stems ranging from only 4 to 10 inches. Native to Switzerland, this diminutive plant is appealing tucked into nooks and crannies throughout the yard or along a path. The key to success is to provide good drainage and remember that the plant actually prefers poor soil.

On a much grander scale and with a showier appearance is the Oriental poppy (P. orientale), that lustrous jewel of flowers so often featured in heirloom gardens or mixed perennial borders. The flowers are large (5 to 8 inches) and need plenty of space to create their spectacular show. They also lend beauty when the spring bulbs are on the wane and before the peak of roses.