Marlene Poppy

Upon Arrival:

It is very important to plant as soon as possible after you receive them. If it is necessary to store them for a short time before planting them, open the plastic bags. If the roots appear dry, soak them for a few hours in warm water. Store in slightly moist peat moss in a cold, but not freezing location until you can plant. They can also be placed in pots of soil if planting will be delayed for more than 2 weeks. Use any peat-based potting soil and pots with drainage holes.

Soak bare-root perennials in water for a few hours before planting. Unless otherwise specified, bare-root perennials are usually planted with the crown (where the shoots meet the roots) an inch below the soil surface. Firm soil gently to eliminate air pockets and water in well. Mark the area clearly since it may be a while before the plant shows itself.

Planting:

Space plants 15"-18" apart with the crown (the point where the roots meet the shoots) just under the soil surface. Oriental Poppy plants have long, carrot-like roots, and the bareroot Poppies we ship should be planted with 3" of soil over the crown. Dig a hole that's deep enough to accommodate the roots. Shallow planting is often the cause of failure, as is soil that is too wet. The plants go dormant in early summer, so plant them near a later blooming perennial. New foliage emerges in fall.

Growing:

Poppies thrive in any well-drained soil and full sun. Deadhead after blooming. Plants need a full 8 hours of sun to flower well. While they are drought tolerant once established, give them an inch of water a week when in bud or bloom. Do not overwater when plants are dormant. Apply a slow-release fertilizer in spring, or side-dress with compost or aged manure.