Poppy (Papaver Alpinum)

Care and Maintenance

Best grown in organically rich, medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun. Tolerates some light afternoon shade in hot summer climates. Performs well in average garden soils as long as drainage is good. Intolerant of drought. Also intolerant of overly moist soils, particularly if poorly drained. Mulch in winter until well established. This is a cold weather plant that needs a period of winter dormancy, and generally will not grow well south of USDA Zone It is generally intolerant of the high summer heat and humidity in the deep South and often will not survive summer heat. This is a short-lived perennial that sometimes acts like a biennial or annual. It will abundantly self-seed in the garden in optimum growing conditions, however, and may remain in the garden from year to year by self-seeding. Plants grown from seed planted in the garden in spring may not flower the first summer (usually needs one cold winter period of dormancy before flowering will occur). Plants grown from seed planted in greenhouses in late winter and moved outside after last spring frost date usually produce flowers the first summer. Another option for bloom in the first summer is to purchase new plants each spring in starter packs.