11 Garden Poppies: One for Any Region

Alpine Poppy (Papaver alpinum)

Those cultivating rock gardens in moderate climates should not pass up the chance to grow this hardy little wildflower in the landscape. Papaver alpinum is a short-lived perennial, but it will self-seed readily in areas with good drainage, producing late spring flowers in red, orange, yellow, and white shades. These poppies are much more compact than others, rarely exceeding 1 foot in size.

Native Area: Alps, Carpathians, Pyrenees

USDA Growing Zones: 4–6

Height: 6–12 inches

Sun Exposure: Full sun

Arctic Poppy (Papaver radicatum)

The yellow arctic poppy, like the alpine poppy, has evolved to be a short plant that can survive blasting winds. Less commonly, pink or white flowers may be seen. The poppies grow wild across northern regions in rocky soils. Although rare in comparison to other poppies, their hardiness endears them to residents of these arctic zones, where few other plants thrive.

Native Area: Arctic regions of Northern Hemisphere

USDA Growing Zones: 2–6

Height: 3–6 inches

Sun Exposure: Full sun

Breadseed Poppy (Papaver somniferum)

The same Papaver somniferum that yields the tiny gray seeds that adorn our muffins and bagels also happens to be a lovely annual garden flower. The flowers grow in shades of pink, purple, and red on 2- to 4-foot-tall stalks. Rake the seeds lightly into the soil in the fall for early summer blooms. If you wish to save seeds from the dried pods, try ‘Elka,’ an heirloom variety that produces white seeds completely free of bitterness.

Note: this is also the species from which opium and derivative drugs are obtained—it is also known as the opium poppy. While it is technically legal to grow P. somniferum for culinary or ornamental purposes, it is a controversial plant to include in your garden. Any suspicion that you are growing it for illegal purposes can create serious problems with law enforcement agencies. It is wise to first consult state authorities if you wish to grow this plant.

Native Area: Eastern Mediterranean; now naturalized widely across Europe and Asia

USDA Growing Zones: 3–8

Height: 2–4 feet

Sun Exposure: Full sun

Carnation Poppy (Papaver laciniatum)

The shaggy petals of Papaver laciniatum add texture and personality to the vase and the border. Known as carnation poppies or feathery poppies, these frilly cool-weather annuals should be grown from seed in a sunny area with rich, loose soil to encourage the tap roots to develop. Some authorities consider this plant a subspecies of the breadseed/opium poppy, assigning it the formal name of P. somniferum  var.  laciniatum.

Sow outdoors two weeks before the last frost, and press the seeds lightly into the soil, as light enhances germination. Expect to see germination in about five days, and blooming in late June. Leave seed heads in place to allow flowers to self-sow, or add the attractive seedpods to your floral arrangements.

Native Area: Eastern Mediterranean

USDA Growing Zones: 3–8

Height: 2–4 feet

Sun Exposure: Full sun

Peony Poppy (Papaver paeoniflorum)

Named for their fluffy, peony-like blooms, Papaver paeoniflorum plants are a variety of breadseed poppies, sometimes categorized as Papaver somniferum var. paeoniflorum. Unlike true peonies, which can take a few seasons to get going, peony poppies will bloom the summer after a fall or winter sowing. The bluish-green foliage and giant seedpods add to the plant’s interest.

Native Area: Eastern Mediterranean

USDA Growing Zones: 3–8

Height: 2–3 feet

Sun Exposure: Full sun

California Poppy (Eschscholzia californica)

The California poppy, Eschscholzia californica, was named in honor of J.F. Eschscholtz, a surgeon aboard an exploratory ship that made note of the cheerful golden flower when spotted in 1816. The plants grow happily on roadsides in the southwest U.S., and they also make a statement in water-wise flower gardens anywhere. Most gardeners grow California poppies as annuals, relying on self-seeding for future blooms, but the plant may come back as a perennial in frost-free areas.

Native Area: Western U.S.

USDA Growing Zones: 3–10 (perennial in zones 6–10)

Height: 12–18 inches

Sun Exposure: Full sun

Flanders Poppy (Papaver rhoeas)

A European native that was once considered a weed, the Papaver rhoeas now symbolizes Remembrance day, which recognizes the fallen soldiers of World War I. Sow this annual poppy thickly for the most brilliant spring show of red flowers. Seeds will germinate at 60 degrees Fahrenheit, and blooming occurs most heavily in April and June. This annual plant will readily self-seed, creating a sustaining bed of flowers.

Native Area: Europe and Asia

USDA Growing Zones: 3–10

Height: 9–18 inches

Sun Exposure: Full sun

Iceland Poppy (Papaver nudicaule)

Like P. radicatum, the Iceland poppy, (P. nudicaule) sometimes carries the common name "arctic poppy" thanks to its tolerance for extremely cold temperatures. The plants are actually short-lived perennials, but may self-seed enough to keep a modest colony going. The frost tolerant flowers require full sun and moist soil, and in return will reward you with delicate blooms in sherbet hues of peach, gold, white, and salmon. Blooms and plants are on the petite side for poppies.

Although it is a native perennial in sub-polar regions, you can grow Papaver nudicaule as a cool-season annual in zones 2 to 7. The variation croceum produces orange-red flowers.

Native Area: Sub-polar regions of Northern Hemisphere

USDA Growing Zones: 2–7

Height: 1–2 feet

Sun Exposure: Full sun

Meconopsis Poppy (Meconopsis spp.)

Not all poppies fall into the Papaver genus of the Papaveraceae family. Another genus is Meconopsis, which includes the beloved Himalayan blue poppy (Meconopsis baileyi), Meconopsis cambrica (Welch poppy), and Meconopsis betonicifolia (blue poppy). These short-lived perennials will readily self-seed and establish themselves as an ongoing presence in the garden.

All Meconopsis poppies grow best in cool, moist climates; conditions that we would consider downright dreary are ideal for blue poppies. Think foggy, cold, and damp—i.e., Scotland, Great Britain, and the Pacific Northwest. Hot, dry gardens spell death to these plants. This genus also prefers part shade conditions, not the full sun preferred by most poppies.

Native Area: Himalayas

USDA Growing Zones: Hardy in zones 6–8 (depends on species); grown as annuals elsewhere.

Height: 1–4 feet (depends on species)

Sun Exposure: Part shade

Oriental Poppy (Papaver orientale)

Papaver orientale plants like the ‘Patty’s Plum’ variety will come back each year in the garden if you provide them with excellent drainage, full, sun, and adequate moisture. The black centers of the blooms give them an avant-garde appearance as cut flowers. The plants produce a taproot that makes transplanting tricky, so direct sow the seeds in your garden. These are short-lived perennials, but a frequent division of the root clumps will keep them producing indefinitely.

Native Area: Caucasus, northeastern Turkey, northern Iran

USDA Growing Zones: 3–8

Height: 2–3 feet

Sun Exposure: Full sun

Spanish Poppy (Papaver rupifragum)

A later bloomer than some others, the bright orange flowers of Papaver rupifragum will attract butterflies and bees to your garden from May through August. The double flowers grow 1 to 2 feet in height and are resistant to deer, like all poppies. Like many poppies, this is a short-lived perennial that freely self-seeds to establish itself in the garden.

Native Area: Morocco, Spain

USDA Growing Zones: Hardy in zones 6–10; grown as annuals elsewhere.

Height: 1–2 feet

Sun Exposure: Full sun