Position

Sun exposure:
Full sun
Aspect:
South facing, west facing
Position in border:
Front

Soil

Prefers rich soil/Succeeds on poor soil:
Chalky / Alkaline / Clay / Heavy / Moist / Well Drained / Light / Sandy

Papaver rhoeas, the field poppy, is a cornfield annual typically found growing in cultivated arable land and roadside verges. It thrives in full sun in well-drained soil and self-seeds readily. It bears scarlet single flowers with each petal often marked at its base with a black blotch. Field poppy is extremely popular with bumblebees.

Papaver rhoeas makes a good cut flower if gathered early in the morning, just as the green sheath is falling from the petals, but the blooms don't last long. It is ideal for wildlife gardens, gravel gardens and coastal locations. It also works well dotted among herbaceous perennials in ornamental borders, and in wildflower meadows, where it adds colour in the first year.

In addition to the wild red field poppy, it is possible to buy varieties with flowers in many shades including white, apricot, purple and pink. Papaver rhoeas 'Mother Of Pearl' has single and double blooms of silvery white, red and pink, while the double flowers of Papaver rhoeas 'Angels Choir Mixed' are a delightful combination of white, orange and apricot.

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Advice on buying Papaver rhoeas

  • Check out the range of varieties and choose one that suits your colour scheme
  • Make sure you have an area with well-drained soil before buying and sowing seeds

Where to buy field poppy

Plant calendar

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Sowyesyesyes
Plantyesyes
Flowersyesyesyes
Collect seedsyesyes

Papaver and wildlife

Papaver is known for attracting bees and other pollinators. It has nectar/pollen rich flowers.

Is known to attract Bees
Bees
Is not known to attract Beneficial insects
Beneficial insects
Is not known to attract Birds
Birds
Is not known to attract Butterflies/​Moths
Butterflies/​Moths
Is known to attract Other pollinators
Other pollinators

Is Papaver poisonous?

Papaver has no toxic effects reported.

No reported toxicity to:
Is not known to attract Birds
Birds
Is not known to attract Cats
Cats
Is not known to attract Dogs
Dogs
Is not known to attract Horses
Horses
Is not known to attract Livestock
Livestock
Is not known to attract People
People
Plants that go well with Papaver rhoeas
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