Oriental Poppies

June is the month that my Oriental Poppy (Papaver Orientale) comes into flower. Oriental Poppies are really spectacular when in flower, the bright scarlet flowers being about 4 inches in diameter.
This is a hardy spreading border perennial which grows to about 2-3 feet tall. There are a number of garden varieties with flower colours ranging from white through to pink and blood red. My plant is a beautiful scarlet red. It's a shame the flowers don't last longer. By the end of June they will all be gone. As the foliage is rather untidy I prefer to cut it back once flowering has finished. Sometimes if the weather is mild enough they will produce a second flush of flowers in the autumn.
Oriental Poppies are happy in ordinary well drained garden soil but need a sunny position. Plant them out in March/April or October. Established plants can be propagated by dividing and replanting the roots in March or April.