Highly sought after by designers and plant enthusiasts, this annual poppy produces its simple, sugar pink flowers on tall, slender stems from early summer.
Papaver dubium subsp. lecoqii 'Albiflorum' loves a sunny, well-drained spot to showcase its beautiful and delicate blooms.
Use this classy little number to fill gaps in the border - or in naturalised settings where it will often self-seed.
How to care for Papaver dubium subsp. lecoqii Albiflorum:
These poppies tend to resent root disturbance, so plant or sow them in situ. If you don't want them to self-seed, then remove the spent flowerheads after the petals fall. If however you'd like another batch of self-sown seedlings in subsequent years, leave the seedheads intact, and when the seed has ripened, give them a gentle shake to spread their contents.
When watering, avoid the 'little and often' approach, but when the soil becomes dry, water thoroughly so it can really soak in.
Sowing instructions:
Sow shallowly, directly into a well prepared bed in spring, or (for an earlier display the following year) late summer to early autumn.
Water well and as the seedlings appear, thin them out to 30cm intervals keeping just the healthiest and most robust ones to develop.
Flowering period:
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Eventual height:
0.6m
Eventual spread:
0.3m
Position:
Full sun
Rate of growth:
Fast-growing
Soil:
Moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil, or peat-free general purpose compost
Hardiness:
Fully hardy
This perennial dies back to below ground level each year in autumn, then fresh new growth appears again in spring.