Papaver Orientale Prinzessin Victoria Louise

Class

Dicotyledons

Division

Angiospermae

Family

Papaveraceae

Order

Ranunculales

Genus

Papaver

Species

nudicaule

Description

A small, caespitose herbaceous perennial characterised by its flowers, borne during the spring-summer period at the top of long stems rising from the basal foliage, which are cup-shaped with delicate petals, with a texture similar to crepe paper and a wide colour range depending on the variety. The Iceland poppy is prized by landscapers and gardening enthusiasts both for creating dense, compact monochrome groups and in arrangements with other ornamentals in flower beds, borders, informal and rock gardens as well as in urban green areas where it can lend an effect of natural spontaneity while also helping to preserve the biodiversity of the area. Easy to cultivate, it requires light exposure in well-draining soil.

Variety description

A spring plant with a short but very showy flowering, with a discrete re-flowering, reminiscent of wild poppies, if you cut into the stem it emits a whitish, sticky latex.

Curiosities and special features

P. nudicaule belongs to the same botanical genus as the common poppy(P. rhoeas) and the opium poppy(Papaver somniferum), which have been of importance in different spheres from ornamental to traditional medicine since ancient times. The poppy was already cultivated by the ancient Egyptians for phytotherapeutic purposes, while the Romans and Greeks regarded it as a symbol of fertility and a good harvest. Over the centuries, the distinctive red flower has taken on further significance, from starring in the famous painting of impressionist painter Claude Monet, to being mentioned in musical pieces such as F. De Andrè's 'La guerra di Piero', to becoming the official flower of the Royal British Legion, an organisation supporting members and veterans of the British armed forces as a symbol of remembrance and resilience.

Origin and distribution

The botanical genus Papaver comprises about 70 annual, biennial or perennial species, mainly native to the northern hemisphere and divided into 8 sections, among them Scapiflora to which belongs P. nudicaule, a species native to the geographic range extending from south-eastern central Siberia to Alaska.

Flower size

The flower is average in size. Often the first flower produced is the largest.

Leaf

Leaf has a lanceolate lamina.

Flowering period

The scenic flowering lasts from mid-spring to summer for 50 to 70 days during which it will add colour and elegance to your green spaces.

Leaf colour

Solid colour tones, in perfect colour balance with the pastel shades of the flowers.

Plant height

The height of the plant varies from 0.2 to 0.3 m, making it suitable both for homogeneous compact groups and for mixed compositions with other ornamentals.

Lifespan

Evergreen herbaceous perennial, often cultivated as an annual.

Where to plant

Because of the high ornamental value it confers with its bright, vividly coloured flowers, it is widely used as a herbaceous plant in flowerbeds, balconies, planters It is also suitable for informal gardens, where in dense groups it creates a landscaped perspective effect, as well as for rock gardens.

Stem

The stem, which rises from the foliage, is herbaceous; the variety has no thorns.

Flower

The flower has a simple, medium-sized form with a pinkish corolla and single-coloured petals. It flowers from mid-spring to summer, with a flowering period of 50 to 70 days. It is attractive to butterflies.

Growth

A compact growing variety, perfect for creating dense, homogenous and uniform groups.

Plant habit

The erect habitus is vividly reinforced by the slender stems bearing cup-shaped flowers at the top.

Branching

The branching is naturally meagre, the poppy being characterised by basal foliage from which the leafless flower stems emerge.

PH

It prefers a slightly acidic soil pH in the optimal range of 6.5 to 6.8.

Soil preparation

Before spring transplanting, carry out a deep digging operation of approx. 15/20 cm, removing weeds, any residues of previous crops and bulky stones. It is advisable to add professional-quality substrate to the surface by approx. 5/10 cm and level it off thoroughly.

Sun exposure

For best flowering expose the plant in half shade, full sun, sheltered from strong wind.

Ideal climate and temperature

The ideal temperature is between 15 and 19 °C. The biological temperature is between 12 and 28 °C.

Use

Appreciated for the elegance of its flowering and the sinuosity of its habitus as a herbaceous species in:

Outdoor ornamental

Hardiness

Variety of medium hardiness; withstands winter cold, also tolerates heat and temporary drought.

Soil

The poppy adapts to different soil conditions, however it prefers medium, light and well-draining soil; for use in planters or pots, choose a high-quality professional substrate for spring plants, containing peat and perlite.

Difficulty

Poppy cultivation is easy with an overall low level of management effort, adding value to the plant.

Growing tips

For better vegetative growth followed by abundant flowering, it is advisable to

Avoid over-watering

Watering should be proportionate to the needs of the plant in relation to the weather, preventing water saturation of the soil or substrate.

Combinations with other plants

Poppies are suitable both for creating homogenous compact masses and for mixed compositions with other ornamental grasses of different heights in order to create perspective landscape views; colour combinations can include shades of the same hue or an alternation by choosing from the different varieties available, composing designs or patterns according to personal fantasy. You can form patches of colour or simple borders with species such as Achillea, Coreopsis, Delphinium, Digitalis purpurea, Iris, Salvia nemorosa as well as ornamental grasses to give an informal and spontaneous effect.

Planting

For mid-spring planting in flowerbeds, apply an average density of 15 plants per square metre in order to ensure proper development of the root and aerial apparatus of each specimen, thus obtaining a harmonious and proportionate final composition. We suggest placing each seedling on a raised bed with the collar outside the soil surface, taking care not to damage the roots and avoiding completely sinking the root balls, which must be well moistened; finally, water immediately after planting, preferably during the morning hours.

Propagation

Poppy seeds can be directly planted in early autumn, flowering during the following spring, or in January in a protected structure and then transplanted outdoors in mid-spring.

Watering

Use rainwater, alternatively from aqueducts with optimal sub-acid pH, either manually or by irrigation. Immediately after transplanting, water abundantly to promote proper plant establishment in the new site while preventing water saturation conditions. Then allow the soil or substrate to dry slightly after each watering, avoiding both dryness and stagnation, the latter of which can in fact encourage the development of fungal diseases with subsequent root rot. Always check the soil moisture level before watering and do not water the plant from above during the hottest hours of the day.

Fertilising

During the spring-summer period, following proper post-transplant settling, regularly apply a balanced fertiliser suitable for ornamental species to the soil or substrate at the foot of the plant, to be distributed in liquid form, i.e. diluted in the irrigation water, without exceeding the frequency and doses applied.

Edibility for humans

Non-edible Species.

Toxicity for humans

All parts of P. nudicaule are toxic if ingested as they contain alkaloids that are toxic to humans.

Tip

The flower remains open for a few days, but the plant is re-blooming, so do not over-water and do not water during daylight hours in hot weather. If you keep the berries where the seeds are, these can be sown the following year.