Papaver orientale Coral Reef - Oriental Poppy Seeds

A bright, salmon pink colour and a texture reminiscent of crepe for the petals of this Oriental poppy, also known as Papaver orientale Coral Reef. Its corolla twirls around a beautiful dark heart populated with black stamens. Perennial and hardy, it can be sown in sunny flower beds. It is also distinguished by its sturdy stems emerging from beautiful bluish-green foliage. At the end of the season, its lovely fruits are useful in dried flower arrangements.

The Papaver orientale, or Tournefort's poppy, is a herbaceous perennial of the Papaveraceae family, native to Asia. 'Coral Reef' has robust stems reaching approximately 60 cm (24in) in height. It forms a bushy clump reaching a minimum height of 40 cm (16in) (for the foliage) and a minimum width of 30 cm (12in). Flowering begins in early June and continues into July, usually halted by heat and drought. Each floral stem carries a single, pendulous bud that turns upward, giving birth to a large, single flower, approximately 15 cm (6in) in diameter, with slightly crumpled, dark salmon pink petals surrounding a wide, prominent, almost black centre. The flower remains open for a few hours before dropping its petals. Well-established plants produce multiple floral stems, ensuring more flowers for approximately three weeks. After flowering, the foliage tends to disappear, leaving a small basal rosette in autumn, which is characteristic of adaptation to high temperatures and summer drought. This plant has large, rough, dissected, and villous leaves, giving them a decorative greyish-blue reflection. The fleshy and deep roots of this Oriental poppy do not tolerate transplantation well, especially in adult plants.

An excellent transitional plant for flower beds, the 'Coral Reef' Oriental poppy blooms during a lull period (after spring blooms and before summer blooms). It pairs well with aniseed colours such as Euphorbia cyparissias or Alchemilla mollis. Oriental poppies are at home in sophisticated flower beds in cottage gardens or countryside compositions. Combine them with artemisias, lavenders, asters, and nepetas with light blooms. They also beautifully accompany autumn stonecrops, whose foliage develops during summer, Damask roses, and cosmos for a summery atmosphere with soft colours. In any case, accompany them with perennials, as they will fill the space after flowering. They are also sturdy and undemanding plants, capable of living in poor, rocky, and dry soils in summer.