Papaver orientale 'Royal Chocolate Distinction'

The 'Royal Chocolate Distinction' Oriental Poppy is a new variety with a dark red to chocolate brown colour, sometimes crimson red.

This variety of Papaveraceae comes from Southeast Asia. The habit of this perennial is very bushy. The grey-green leaves are pubescent, deeply notched, and dentate. The 70cm (28in) tall stems each bear a single floral bud wrapped in the calyx, which, when opening, will reveal a flower with double rows of crumpled petals in a dark red colour, marked with black at the base. Each flower is 15cm (6in) in diameter. The stamens are black and powdery. The central capsule containing the achenes is strongly furrowed and cocoa-coloured. This magnificent flowering extends from May to late July. Poppies appreciate deep and light soils. The soil pH is indifferent to it, and it does not fear calcareous soils. Sometimes the foliage completely disappears in summer to better withstand drought. It will regain its shape with the first rains. If this is the case, associate this magnificent Poppy with brown-orange Elecampanes and Field Camellias that develop throughout the summer. They also blend well in the background of a border with Black-Eyed Susans, sages, and grasses. Poppy flowers are very delicate: if you want to make bouquets with them, you must pick them as soon as the buds open so that they last longer. The white latex that oozes from the stem if it is broken is strongly alkaloid but non-allergenic.

It completely disappears to enter dormancy in the middle of summer and re-emerges in autumn to bloom again as soon as the temperatures become milder.