Home
Plants
Papaver rhoeas

Papaver rhoeas

Save

Field poppyAnnualFamily: Papaveraceae

Height: 90cmSpread: 30cm
Hardy

Attractive to wildlife

Flower colour:

Red

Foliage colour:

Green

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.

This page contains affiliate links and we may receive a commission for purchases made. Please read our affiliates FAQ page to find out more.

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

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecSowyesyesyesPlantyes**yesFlowersyesyesyesCollect Seedsyes**yes

Papaver ‘Rhoeas’ and wildlife

Papaver ‘Rhoeas’ 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 ‘Rhoeas’ poisonous?

Papaver ‘Rhoeas’ can be toxic.

Toxic to:

Is known to attract Cats

Cats

Is known to attract Dogs

Dogs

Is known to attract Horses

Horses

Is known to attract Livestock

Livestock

Is known to attract People

People

No reported toxicity to:

Is not known to attract Birds

Birds