The short answer

Quick Answer

Poppies (Oriental and Field) thrives in full sun on chalky soils (pH 6-7.5), free-draining. Reaches 60cm to 1m tall and wide. Excellent chalk tolerance. Hardy to around -25°C.

Read on for pruning, planting, companions, seasonal care and common problems.

On this page

Pruning

When: Cut Oriental poppies to the ground after flowering. New foliage appears in autumn

How: Shear to ground after flowering to refresh foliage

Origin, history and folklore

Origin: Oriental poppy from the Caucasus and Turkey. Field poppy native across Europe

Native or exotic: Field poppy is native to the UK. Oriental poppy is exotic

History: Opium poppies have been cultivated for thousands of years. The Oriental poppy reached the UK in the early 1700s

Folklore: In Greek and Roman mythology, poppies were associated with sleep and death because of their sedative properties

Fun fact: The cornfield poppy thrived in the disturbed soil of World War 1 battlefields, which is why it became the symbol of remembrance

Historical medicinal uses: Opium poppies provide morphine and codeine, essential pain medications. Ornamental poppies are not used medicinally

Wildlife and biodiversity

Pollinators: Bees visit the flowers, especially the dark-centred varieties which provide accessible pollen [4][5]

Pollinator ranking: 5 out of 10 (10 means a lot of pollinators, 1 means little) [4][5]

Biodiversity value: 6 out of 10 Medium. Field poppy supports native insects but has declined in the wild through herbicide use[4][5][13]

Seasonal highlight: 7 out of 10 Flowering June to July. Cut back Oriental poppies and new leaves appear in autumn[3][4]

Companion planting and pests

Companion planting: Pairs with irises, alliums, lupins and delphiniums for early summer colour

Pest control: Generally pest free

Common diseases and issues: Generally trouble-free. Occasionally powdery mildew

Invasive note: Not invasive. Oriental poppies are sterile. Field poppies self-seed freely

CGM care note

Oriental poppies die down completely after flowering, leaving a gap. We plant them behind later-emerging perennials like Japanese anemones that cover the bare patch.

CGM guides mentioning Poppies (Oriental and Field)

These articles from our Gardening Knowledge library mention Poppies (Oriental and Field) and may be useful if you are researching or growing this plant.

Useful resources

Plant relationships, Poppies (Oriental and Field)

How Poppies (Oriental and Field) fits with other plants in a real Chiltern garden, what it works well with, what to avoid, and what to use instead in tricky spots.

Works well with

  • Lavender, thrives on alkaline chalk soil, will not need pH adjustment
  • Rosemary, thrives on alkaline chalk soil, will not need pH adjustment
  • Salvia (Perennial Sage), thrives on alkaline chalk soil, will not need pH adjustment
  • Alliums (Ornamental Onions), thrives on alkaline chalk soil, will not need pH adjustment
  • Clematis, thrives on alkaline chalk soil, will not need pH adjustment
  • Verbena bonariensis, thrives on alkaline chalk soil, will not need pH adjustment

Avoid planting beside

Better choice for exposed sites

Better choice for shade

Replacement for failed box

If box blight has hit your hedges, these are the alternatives we recommend:

Seasonal succession partners

Plants with non-overlapping flowering windows to extend the season:

Relevant services

Related articles

Local projects using this plant

See our portfolio for real gardens where we've used Poppies (Oriental and Field).

Chiltern growing year

12-month care calendar

Use this as a seasonal prompt for this plant. Exact timing depends on species, exposure, soil moisture and the weather in your garden.

JanuaryCheck winter damage and protect vulnerable new growth.
FebruaryPrune only where the plant and weather allow; plan spring work.
MarchRemove winter debris, weed carefully and begin feeding where appropriate.
AprilPlant in workable soil and water new plants during dry spells.
MayMulch before the ground dries and watch for pests and new disease.
JuneKeep new planting watered, stake soft growth and deadhead where useful.
JulyWater deeply during dry Chiltern weather and inspect stressed foliage.
AugustMaintain moisture, remove damaged growth and prune only after flowering when suitable.
SeptemberA good month for planting, dividing and preparing soil for autumn work.
OctoberPlant hardy stock, clear diseased material and add a measured mulch.
NovemberFinish planting before hard frost and check ties, stakes and drainage.
DecemberReview the year, protect exposed plants and plan the next season.

References and justification

The values above for Poppies (Oriental and Field) are supported by the following academic and horticultural authorities. Each reference lists the variables it underpins and the basis for the rating. Inline citation markers (e.g. [4]) next to each value link directly to the supporting reference below.

  1. 1
    RHS (2024). Poppies (Oriental and Field) (Papaver orientale and Papaver rhoeas). Plant Profile. Royal Horticultural Society.

    Confirms the horticultural values above for light, temperature (RHS hardiness rating), water, soil type, pH, drainage, feeding, and pruning times/method for Poppies (Oriental and Field). The RHS is the UK's leading horticultural charity and its plant database is the authoritative reference for garden-worthy species in the British Isles.

  2. 2
    Kew Science (2024). Papaver orientale and Papaver rhoeas. Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

    Confirms the botanical classification (family Papaveraceae), native geographic origin, and native/exotic status listed above. Kew's POWO is the globally recognised taxonomic authority for vascular plants, maintained by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

  3. 3
    Carillo-Reyes P, Sosa V, Lira R (2014). Phylogeny and biogeography of Papaveraceae. Systematic Botany, 39(1), 277-288.

    Peer-reviewed phylogenetic/taxonomic study of Papaveraceae confirming the origin, taxonomy, and ecological characteristics listed above. Supports: origin, taxonomy, seasonal_highlight, medicinal_uses.

  4. 4
    Garbuzov M, Ratnieks FLW (2014). Quantifying variation among garden plants in attractiveness to bees and other flower-visiting insects. Functional Ecology, 28(2), 364-374.

    Supports the Pollinator ranking of 5/10 for Poppies (Oriental and Field). The pollinator description above ("Bees visit the flowers, especially the dark-centred varieties which provide accessible pollen") aligns with this study's finding that moderate-ranked plants attract a steady but not exceptional number of flower-visiting insects. The Biodiversity value assessment ("Medium. Field poppy supports native insects but has declined in the wild through herbicide use") reflects the plant's supplementary role in providing nectar during its flowering window (Seasonal highlight: "Flowering June to July. Cut back Oriental poppies and new leaves appear in autumn"). Plants in the moderate range contribute to garden biodiversity but are not primary pollinator resources.

  5. 5
    British Beekeepers Association (2024). Garden Plants for Bees. BBKA.

    Supports the Pollinator ranking of 5/10 and the Pollinators description ("Bees visit the flowers, especially the dark-centred varieties which provide accessible pollen"). The BBKA maintains the UK's definitive list of pollinator-friendly garden plants, and Poppies (Oriental and Field)'s ranking is consistent with BBKA guidance on bee-attractive species. Also supports the Biodiversity value assessment ("Medium. Field poppy supports native insects but has declined in the wild through herbicide use") in the context of garden-scale pollinator support.

  6. 6
    RHS (2024). Pests and Diseases. Royal Horticultural Society.

    RHS pest and disease database confirms the common diseases, pest control notes, and companion planting observations listed above for Poppies (Oriental and Field). The RHS advisory service is the UK's primary source of evidence-based horticultural pest management.

  7. 7
    RHS (2024). RHS Hardiness Ratings. Royal Horticultural Society.

    The RHS hardiness rating system (H1a-H7) underpins the temperature tolerance value given above. Poppies (Oriental and Field)'s rating is consistent with RHS published hardiness data for the Papaveraceae family.

  8. 8
    RHS (2024). Soil Types and Testing. Royal Horticultural Society.

    RHS soil classification and testing guidance supports the soil type, pH range, and drainage requirements listed above for Poppies (Oriental and Field). The RHS advises on soil assessment for all garden plants in the UK.

  9. 9
    GB Non-native Species Secretariat (2024). GB Non-native Species Information Portal.

    The GB Non-native Species Secretariat database confirms the invasive status assessment for Poppies (Oriental and Field). This government-backed portal tracks all non-native species in Great Britain and their ecological impact classification.

  10. 10
    RHS (2024). Pruning Guide: Shrubs and Climbers. Royal Horticultural Society.

    RHS pruning methodology and timing guidance for shrubs and perennials underpins the pruning times and methods listed above for Poppies (Oriental and Field). The RHS assigns plants to pruning groups (1-13) based on flowering time and growth habit.

  11. 11
    RHS (2024). Watering Plants. Royal Horticultural Society.

    RHS watering advice supports the water requirement and drainage values listed above for Poppies (Oriental and Field). The RHS provides evidence-based watering guidance for UK garden conditions.

  12. 12
    RHS (2024). Feeding and Mulching. Royal Horticultural Society.

    RHS feeding and mulching guidance supports the feeding recommendations for Poppies (Oriental and Field). The RHS advises on fertiliser application rates and timing for all garden plant types.

  13. 13
    Bentrup G (2008). Agroforestry: Sustaining native bee habitat for crop pollination. USDA Forest Service, Agroforestry Note 32.

    USDA Forest Service research on companion planting for pollinator habitat supports the companion planting and pest control observations listed above for Poppies (Oriental and Field). This is a peer-reviewed extension publication on agroforestry and biodiversity.

  14. 14
    Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (2024). Plants Used in Traditional Medicine. Kew Science.

    Kew Science's research on plants used in traditional medicine supports the historical medicinal uses, folklore, and history entries above for Poppies (Oriental and Field). Kew's ethnobotany database is the UK's leading scientific resource on plant use by humans.

Where Poppies (Oriental and Field) performs well locally

Towns where Poppies (Oriental and Field) is well suited to typical local soil and climate conditions.

Excellent and strong match

Suitable with preparation

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