Papaver orientale 'Royal Wedding' – Oriental Poppy (Set of 3 or 6)

Papaver orientale 'Royal Wedding' is a hardy oriental poppy, opening huge pure white bowls above a low clump of bristly, deeply cut leaves.

The dark plum black centre against pure white petals is the whole point of this variety, and it lifts a hot coloured border as easily as a cool one. The plant reaches 70 to 90cm tall and 45 to 60cm wide and flowers from May to June, and the buds cut well for the house if you pick them just as the calyx splits.

Oriental poppies want full sun and free draining ground, and they cope with poor, dry soil once the deep root is down; what they will not take is wet ground over winter. Plants arrive established in 1 litre pots, ready to go straight out. Poppies resent being moved, so choose the spot with care. The leaves yellow and die away in midsummer once flowering is over, which is normal, and a fresh rosette pushes up again in autumn. Planting something later flowering alongside covers the gap.

Cultural Information

• Common Name: Oriental poppy
• Fully Grown Height and Spread: 70 to 90cm tall and 45 to 60cm wide
• Growth Habit: Clump forming and upright
• Perfect For: Sunny borders, cottage gardens, cut flowers and containers
• Foliage: Deeply cut, bristly mid green leaves that die back after flowering and return in autumn
• Flowering Time: May to June
• Planting Position: Full sun. Copes with dry soil once established and grows well in a large container
• Soil Type: Well drained. Avoid ground that stays wet in winter
• Hardiness: Fully hardy in the UK
• Maintenance: Cut the spent stems back after flowering and let the foliage die down naturally. Very little else is needed
• Seasonal Interest: Spring and summer
• Type: Hardy herbaceous perennial