Glaucium flavum

The Glaucium flavum, also known as the Yellow horned poppy, Horned poppy or Yellow sand poppy,  grows wild along coastlines, on the edges of paths, and even on the slopes of spoil heaps, very often on poor and dry soils. Similar to the Glaucium corniculatum, this species is less rare, a little larger and equally decorative with its beautiful frizzy blue foliage and its large flowers in yellow to orange tones. Comfortable in dry, sunny areas, it is a pretty wild plant for rockeries or gravel gardens. Though not a perennial, it self-seeds easily in light soils, wherever suits it best.

The yellow horned poppy belongs to the family of Papaveraceae, like all poppies. This species is native to Western and Southern Europe as well as North Africa, but it has become widely naturalized. It can be found on Mediterranean coasts, in dunes and on beaches, along roads and paths, on the edges of fields or on previously cultivated fallow land, as well as on the coasts of the Atlantic and the English Channel. Very common 50 years ago, this yellow sand poppy is now tending to become scarce. It is a plant that thrives in places generally disturbed by humans. The crown is hardy down to -12°C/10.4°F, and the foliage lasts more or less throughout the winter. Its lifespan is limited, around 3-4 years in the Mediterranean region, but it self-seeds freely. This horned poppy has a taproot that does not like to be disturbed. Its grows rapidly, forming a beautiful tuft about 60 cm (23.6 in) in height and 50 cm (19.7 in) wide in one or two years. It first forms a large rosette of pinnate leaves, each measuring 20 to 30 cm (7.9 to 11.8 in) long. The glaucous, grey, green and blue leaves are fuzzy and divided into numerous and irregular lobes with very wavy edges. The flowering period takes place from March to July. The plant forms branched floral stems with small leaves and the flower buds open into cups that are 6 to 8 cm (2.4 to 3.1 in) wide. Each flower is composed of 4 large delicate, oval petals, usually light yellow but sometimes more orangish. In the centre of the flower, there is a cluster of golden-yellow stamens. The unusual fruits, are arched capsules that are 30 cm (11.8 in) long. When ripe, they snap open and release numerous small black seeds. This allows it to remain in the garden from one year to the next. All parts of the plant are toxic, including the seeds.

Use horned poppies in a gravel garden, rockery, or on a slightly arid slope. The Glaucium flavum creates beautiful natural displays with medium-sized grasses. It is also superb with all cushion-shaped plants and Mediterranean plants such as rockroses, thymes, lavenders, Euphorbia myrsinites, dwarf artemisias, etc. Its radiant corollas form a beautiful contrast with the very blue flowers of perennial flax or wild chicory.