Monroe County Master Gardener Association

Since today is the official, original Memorial Day; I’d like to post some pictures of the Oriental Poppy. Some of us recall years ago when every corner had a veteran from either the VFW or American Legion selling their poppy flowers for a fund raiser. That is one of the strongest Memorial Day memories I have. My father, a WWII verteran always made sure he purchase them for us to wear. The poppy is in full bloom this time of year. Papaver orientale is hard from Zone 3 to 8. It usually will achieve a height and spread of 1 foot to 3 foot. Although it loves full sun, it grows very well in my dappled shade locations. Not long after blooming and setting seed the foliage will die back. It’s good to plant a companion there to take over the bare space it will leave. It again shows some foliage in the fall, but begins its new grown the following spring. These poppies don’t take kindly to transplanting. It’s a challenge, since they die back so soon. You will have better luck early spring or waiting and sewing their seeds the next year after last frost has occurred. There is a large range of colors, including white, pink, salmon, maroon, plum and the more popular scarlet-orange. So included are a few photos from my collection planted as a tribute to those who have served our country.