How To Grow: Poppies

Poppies are a genus of flowering plant, containing around 120 species, belonging to the Papaveraceae family. These plants usually consist of 4 – 6 petals and are native to Europe.

Picture courtesy of KimMetcalf

Poppies come in a wide range of colours, most commonly red, although also including purple, blue and yellow. They grow well in flower beds and rock gardens and perennial poppy seeds should be planted in autumn. Here are our gardening tips on how to grow poppies in your garden this year:

1. You need to select the right site in which to grow your poppies. These plants like to be in full sunlight and need to be situated in well-drained soil that is not too acidic, around pH 5.5 to 7.

2. Once you have found the perfect spot in your garden to grow your poppies you need to dig the holes in the flower bed. Seeds need to be planted an 1 – 2 inches deep with around 10 inches between each seed, as plants can grow between 12 and 24 inches high.

3. The poppy seeds need to be watered in until the soil is completely moist and mulch should be added around the plants to help keep weeds down.

4. Poppies will bloom in the summer and should be deadheaded to promote new blooms. Be aware that if heads are not removed and the poppies are allowed to self seed then they can take over garden. Water the soil only during dry spells and they will continue to bloom annually.

For more advice on how to grow your favourite flowers in your garden, visit our gardening tips page.