Here are eight poppy flower varieties to know about, including ones that are easy and ones that are tricky to grow.
Symbolism of Poppies
The poppy flower is considered special because of its meaning. Specifically, the red poppy symbolizes remembrance, resilience, and peace. Many people wear poppies on remembrance days for fallen soldiers.
Poppy Growing Tips
Poppy flower seeds generally can be sown in the spring. And many types readily reseed themselves in the garden, so the poppies come back every year. Depending on the type, poppies can be annuals (dying after one growing season), perennials (coming back each year), or biennials (completing their life cycle in two growing seasons). Poppy flower care is fairly straightforward, though it does vary slightly by type. In general, poppy flowers need lots of sun and well-draining soil. While they have some drought tolerance, watering to keep the soil lightly moist can help with flowering. You also can deadhead plants (remove the spent blooms) to encourage further flowering. While people typically grow Oriental poppies for their magnificent blooms, their feathery foliage is also attractive. The foliage disappears in summer as the plant goes dormant, but a new set of basal leaves emerges in the fall. These leaves will overwinter, affording winter interest in areas that receive only light snowfall.
Native Area: Southern EurasiaUSDA Hardiness Zones: 2–7 (depends on variety)Height: 20–36 inchesSun Exposure: Full
Although the Flanders poppy and its cultivars are annuals, they self-seed so freely that they naturalize in a manner that makes them perform as perennials. This can be a good choice for gardeners in the South who have trouble with the cold-loving perennial species. In warm climates, the seeds can be sown in fall or winter.
Native Area: Northern Africa, Europe, AsiaUSDA Hardiness Zones: 3–10 (grown as an annual)Height: 9–18 inchesSun Exposure: Full
Although the opium poppy is an exquisitely attractive plant, growing it is technically illegal throughout the United States. This ban also extends to Papaver paeoniflorum, the double-flowered version of the opium poppy. Most major seed retailers offer poppy seeds for sale, and few make any mention of legalities. Before growing this plant, check with local and state authorities.
Native Area: TurkeyUSDA Hardiness Zones: 8–10 (grown as an annual)Height: 24–36 inchesSun Exposure: Full
Iceland poppy cultivars are available with bright yellow, white, salmon, rose, and pink flowers.
Native Area: Arctic, subarcticUSDA Hardiness Zones: 2–7Height: 12–24 inchesSun Exposure: Full
Make no mistake about it: These are difficult plants to grow from start to finish. The seeds can be difficult to germinate, and the plants require constant moisture (but detest being waterlogged) as well as moderate temperatures in both summer and winter (not too hot, not too cold). Unless you’re able to mimic the conditions of their native Himalayan environment—woody terrain shrouded in cool mist—your chances of success are slim. If you succeed, though, you have earned notable bragging rights.
Native Area: ChinaUSDA Hardiness Zones: 3–7Height: 3–4 feetSun Exposure: Partial shade
Rather than being beautiful and difficult to grow like the Himalayan poppy, it’s less attractive and quite easy to grow—so easy, in fact, that it crosses over into the invasive category. This perennial spreads aggressively through rhizomes and self-seeding (if not deadheaded). So, for many, the plume poppy turns out to be one of those beautiful barbarians—a lovely but dangerous plant that ends up being an unwelcome plant in your garden.
Native Area: China, JapanUSDA Hardiness Zones: 6–8Height: 4–9 feetSun Exposure: Full, partial
But don’t confuse this species with the lesser celandine (Ranunculus ficaria), which is a member of the buttercup clan, not the poppy family. It looks somewhat like a marsh marigold and generally should be avoided, too, though some cultivars are bred to behave better.
Native Area: Europe, western AsiaUSDA Hardiness Zones: 4–8Height: 12–24 inchesSun Exposure: Partial, full
Unlike most poppies, which love the sun, this species prefers shady conditions, making it a great choice for gardeners seeking a native species for a shady location. The common name derives from the reddish-orange color of its sap when the roots are cut.
Native Area: Eastern North AmericaUSDA Hardiness Zones: 3–8Height: 12-14 inchesSun Exposure: Partial, shade
