Papaver orientale Pizzicato Mix - Oriental Poppy

The selection of Oriental poppies or Papaver orientale 'Pizzicato' Mix produces sturdy plants covered in poppies of various shades, carried by strong stems. This hardy perennial plant is ideal in borders and containers. It is also distinguished by its beautiful bluish-green foliage and lovely fruits at the end of the season, perfect for dried bouquets.

Papaver orientale is a herbaceous perennial plant in the family Papaveraceae, native to Asia. 'Pizzicato Mix' is a shorter horticultural selection, producing wind and rain-resistant plants. This plant has robust stems reaching about 40cm (15.7 in) in height. It forms a bushy clump reaching 25cm (9.8 in) in height (for the foliage) and 30cm (11.8 in) in width. Flowering begins in early June and continues into July, usually halted by heat and drought. Each flower stem bears a single pendulous bud that turns towards the sky, giving rise to a large single flower, approximately 12cm (4.7 in) in diameter, with silky slightly crumpled petals, in white, pink, red, or orange. The flower remains in bloom for a few hours before dropping its petals. Well-established plants produce multiple flower stems, ensuring flower renewal for about 3 weeks. After flowering, the foliage tends to disappear, making way, in autumn, for a small basal rosette, which is characteristic of adaptation to high temperatures and summer drought. This plant has wide rough, serrated, and villous leaves, giving them a very 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 'Pizzicato Mix' Oriental poppy blooms during a lull period (after spring blooms and before summer blooms). It pairs well with aniseed colours like Euphorbia cyparissias or Alchemilla mollis. Oriental poppies are equally at home in sophisticated flower beds as they are in cottage gardens or rustic compositions. Combine them with Artemisias, lavenders, asters, and Nepetas with light blooms. They also beautifully complement autumn stonecrops whose foliage develops during the 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 left empty after flowering. They are also sturdy and undemanding plants, capable of living in poor, rocky, and dry soils in summer.