Poppy orientale

Poppy orientale is a quintessential cottage garden perennial that instantly conjures a romantic vibe. From a basal clump of deeply divided, hairy leaves emerge strong stems carrying fat, pendent buds in early summer. As the buds begin to open, they reveal a tantalising glimpse of their scarlet, crepe-like petals within. The buds eventually burst into large, bowl-shaped, brilliant crimson flowers up to 15cm across, accented with purple-black blotches at the base and studded with a bold central boss. After the blooms have finished, the seedheads continue to offer architectural interest and make an interesting addition to cut flower arrangements.The silky, over-sized flowers make a glamorous display, but Poppy orientale is a surprisingly tough perennial thriving in sunny, free-draining sites and offering a second flush of flowers in good summers if plants are cut right down to the ground after the first flush. The flowers are loved by bees and butterflies, making it a good choice for the wildlife-friendly garden. Height and spread: 50cm (20in) to 1m (39in).