Papaver, Spanish Poppy 'Double Tangerine Gem'

This performs well here on the humid Atlantic coast of N. America.

Synonym: Papaver atlanticum.

Flowers are...Read More a beautiful soft creamsicle orange, and last only a day. Flowering begins with a flush in June and then persists, one or two flowers at a time, into late fall. I shear plants back when the accumulating seedpods start looking messy. Foliage usually also needs a cutback in late summer if it gets lanky/ragged. Performs well under crowded border conditions, which also helps conceal the foliage.

This is 18-24" tall in bloom, most of which is wiry flower stem.

I've read that this makes a good (though not longlasting) cut flower if cut when the bud is just showing color and the cut ends of the stems are dipped in boiling water---as for any poppy.

Adaptable from full sun to part shade. This is a reliable self-sower, not excessively aggressive in its self-sowing. There are strains with single flowers as well as the one with double flowers. All come true from seed.

The correct name may be Papaver rupifragum var. atlanticum. There are numerous synonyms for this species. A staff horticulturist at the Montreal Botanic Gardens has suggested that it's actually Papaver nordhagenianum ssp. islandicum, or is it P. radiatum ssp radiatum (Arctic poppy)? I just call it "that cute little orange poppy."

Best in areas where summers are cool or dry; not a good choice for humid regions. Blooms May-August in my garden.