Papaver orientale Rasberry Brulee - Oriental Poppy

An unprecedentedly intense raspberry pink colour, with black spots in the centre of the petals, for the silky flowers of this Oriental poppy, also known as Papaver orientale Raspberry Brulee. This hardy perennial plant can be easily sown in sunny flower beds or borders, adding vibrancy throughout the summer. Its compact habit and sturdy stems emerging from beautiful green foliage also distinguish it. At the end of the season, its lovely fruits are useful for dried flower arrangements.

The Oriental poppy is an herbaceous perennial plant in the Papaveraceae family, native to Asia. The 'Raspberry Brulee' cultivar is a recently awarded horticultural selection that can be easily propagated by sowing. This plant has robust stems, reaching approximately 60 cm (24in) in height. It forms a bushy clump, reaching 40 cm (16in) in height (for the foliage) and 50 cm (20in) in width. Flowering begins in early June and continues into July, usually halted by heat and drought. Each flower stem carries a single pendant bud that turns upwards to give rise to a large single flower, measuring approximately 15 cm (6in) in diameter, with silky, slightly crumpled petals in vivid raspberry pink and maculated with dark purple at the base of the corolla. The flower remains in bloom for a few hours before the petals drop. Well-established plants produce multiple flower stems, ensuring more flowers for about 3 weeks. After flowering, the foliage tends to disappear, leaving behind a small basal rosette in autumn, characteristic of adaptation to high temperatures and summer drought. This plant has broad, rough, and hairy leaves, giving it a decorative grey-blue hue. The fleshy and deep roots of this Oriental poppy do not tolerate transplantation well, especially in mature plants.

The 'Raspberry Brulee' Oriental poppy is an excellent transitional plant for flower beds, blooming during a lull period (after spring blooms and before summer blooms). It pairs well with anise-like colours such as Euphorbia cyparissias or Alchemilla mollis. Oriental poppies are equally at ease in sophisticated flower beds in cottage gardens or rustic compositions. Associate them with artemisias, lavenders, asters, and nepetas with light blooms. They also beautifully complement autumn stonecrops, whose foliage develops during summer, and damask flowers and cosmos for a summery ambience with soft colours. In any case, accompany them with perennials as they fill the space after flowering. They are also sturdy and undemanding plants, capable of thriving in poor, rocky, and dry soils during summer.