Papaver orientale Checkers - Oriental Poppy

A well-contrasted flowering in the year of sowing, for the silky white petals of this Oriental poppy, also known as Papaver orientale Checkers. 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, and its pretty fruits, at the end of the season, are useful in dried flower arrangements.

The Papaver orientale, or Tournefort's poppy, is a herbaceous perennial of the Papaveraceae family, native to Asia. 'Checkers' has sturdy stems, reaching approximately 75 cm (30in) in height. It forms a bushy clump in one season, reaching a minimum height of 45 cm (18in) (for the foliage) and a minimum width of 30 cm (12in). If sown early, its flowering begins as early as late spring, in May, and continues in June-July, generally stopped by heat and drought. Each flower stalk bears a pendant bud that turns towards the sky, giving birth to a large single flower with slightly crumpled, creamy white silky petals adorned with a black macule at the base around a dark heart. The flower remains open for a few hours before dropping its petals. Well-established plants produce several flower stalks, ensuring more flowers for about three weeks. After flowering, the foliage tends to disappear, leaving room for a small basal rosette in autumn, characteristic of adaptation to high temperatures and summer drought. This plant has large, rough, and hairy leaves, giving it a decorative grey-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 'Checkers' Oriental poppy blooms during a lull period (after spring flowering and before summer flowering). It pairs very well with vibrant colours like red or bright pink. Oriental poppies are equally at ease in sophisticated flower beds like cottage gardens or wildflower compositions. Associate them with artemisias, lavenders, asters, and nepetas with delicate flowering. 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 fill the empty space after flowering. They are also sturdy and undemanding plants, capable of living in poor, rocky, and dry soils in summer.