oriental poppy

Oriental poppy (Papaver orientale 'Patty's Plum') should be watered deeply and regularly for best performance. This means soaking the soil each time you water it, not just quickly spraying it. During the growing season water your poppy once a week, allowing the top inch or 2 of soil to dry out completely before watering again. For areas that receive at least 1 inch of rain per week during the growing season, you won't need to water as often. During periods of extremely hot and dry weather, your poppies may benefit from extra water. Be mindful of overwatering your poppies, as this can lead to rotting of their tuberous roots.

Oriental poppies prefer full sun for optimal blooming; the more sun they receive, the more blooms you will get. Ideally, a location that gets at least 6 hours of sunlight a day will ensure the best performance. When grown in bright and sunny locations, they will bloom from late spring to early summer, typically lasting around 2-3 weeks.

Oriental poppies should be pruned in late summer, after the flowers have begun to fade. Pruning should be done by cutting the flower stems down to the basal foliage clump, leaving only a few inches of stem. If the plant is overgrown and crowded, some of the clump may be dug up and divided at this time, and the divided plants should be replanted in well-drained soil. If deadheading, snip off the spent flower buds just above the basal leaves, to keep plants neat and encourage a long blooming season. Since these plants are short-lived perennials, it is best to not cut them back too aggressively.