- Botanical name: Macleaya cordata
- Common name: Plume poppy
- Family: Papaveraceae
- Plant Type: Perennial
White
Blue/Green
- Key features:
- Attractive to wildlife
- Dramatic foliage
- Flowers
Plume poppies, Macleaya, are vigorous herbaceous perennials primarily grown for their bold and beautiful foliage. Like opium poppies, to which they’re related, plume poppies have glaucous grey-green leaves that stand out all the more when it rains and the foliage sparkles with moisture.
Most commonly grown are Macleaya cordata and Macleaya microcarpa. Both are very similar in appearance to each other, but Macleaya cordata spreads less than the former and has paler flower plumes, compared to the pinker flowers of Macleaya microcarpa. It’s a fantastic addition to a herbaceous border where the beautifully structured leaves can be admired, while pollinators love the small but numerous flowers.
For best results grow Macleaya cordata in full sun or light shade in a deep, moist and well-drained soil, with plenty of organic matter added to boost soil fertility. Plume poppies are known for being vigorous spreaders, to be prepared to limit this by going around the clump with a spade to sever adventitious roots. Macleaya cordata holds the Royal Horticultural Society’s prestigious Award of Garden Merit (AGM).
Propagation can be carried out by dividing clumps in spring or autumn, or by taking root cuttings in winter.
How to grow Macleaya cordata
-
Plant size
2m height
1.2m spread
-
Aspect
South facing, west facing
-
Position in border
Middle, back
- Sun exposure: Full shade, partial shade
- Hardiness: Hardy
- Soil type: Acidic / chalky / alkaline / clay / heavy / moist / well drained / light / sandy
Plant calendar
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plant | ||||||||||||
| Plant |
J
Do not Plant in January |
F
Do not Plant in February |
M
Do Plant in March |
A
Do Plant in April |
M
Do Plant in May |
J
Do not Plant in June |
J
Do not Plant in July |
A
Do not Plant in August |
S
Do Plant in September |
O
Do Plant in October |
N
Do Plant in November |
D
Do not Plant in December |
| Flowers | ||||||||||||
| Flowers |
J
Plant does not flower in January |
F
Plant does not flower in February |
M
Plant does not flower in March |
A
Plant does not flower in April |
M
Plant does not flower in May |
J
Plant does not flower in June |
J
Plant does flower in July |
A
Plant does flower in August |
S
Plant does not flower in September |
O
Plant does not flower in October |
N
Plant does not flower in November |
D
Plant does not flower in December |
| Divide | ||||||||||||
| Divide |
J
Do not Divide in January |
F
Do not Divide in February |
M
Do Divide in March |
A
Do Divide in April |
M
Do not Divide in May |
J
Do not Divide in June |
J
Do not Divide in July |
A
Do not Divide in August |
S
Do not Divide in September |
O
Do Divide in October |
N
Do Divide in November |
D
Do not Divide in December |
| Take cuttings | ||||||||||||
| Take cuttings |
J
Do Take cuttings in January |
F
Do Take cuttings in February |
M
Do not Take cuttings in March |
A
Do not Take cuttings in April |
M
Do not Take cuttings in May |
J
Do not Take cuttings in June |
J
Do not Take cuttings in July |
A
Do not Take cuttings in August |
S
Do not Take cuttings in September |
O
Do not Take cuttings in October |
N
Do not Take cuttings in November |
D
Do Take cuttings in December |
| Cut back | ||||||||||||
| Cut back |
J
Do not Cut back in January |
F
Do not Cut back in February |
M
Do not Cut back in March |
A
Do not Cut back in April |
M
Do not Cut back in May |
J
Do not Cut back in June |
J
Do not Cut back in July |
A
Do not Cut back in August |
S
Do not Cut back in September |
O
Do Cut back in October |
N
Do Cut back in November |
D
Do not Cut back in December |
Macleaya cordata and wildlife
Macleaya cordata is known for attracting bees and other pollinators. It has nectar/pollen rich flowers.
Attractive to Bees
Does not attract Beneficial insects
Does not attract Birds
Does not attract Butterflies/Moths
Attractive to Other pollinators
Is Macleaya cordata poisonous?
Macleaya cordata is harmful if ingested and causes an upset stomach.
Toxic to Cats
Toxic to Dogs
Toxic to Horses
Toxic to Livestock
Toxic to People
No reported toxicity to Birds
Plants that go well with Macleaya cordata
