Double Tangerine Gem Spanish Poppy

Light Needs

Full Sun

(At Least 6 Hours Of Direct Sunlight)

Mature Height

2 Feet

Mature Spread

18 Inches

Growing Zones

6 to 9

Spanish poppy, P. rupifragum Double Tangerine Gem is a delightful spring blooming poppy with bright tangerine orange multiple petals with an orange and green center, accented by soft silvery green fern-like foliage. The flowers sways high over the foliage on a thin wire-like stem, creating a beautiful movement in your garden. Like an Oriental Poppy, it has the crepe paper-like texture on the petals, and leaves behind a seed pod full of tiny seeds to re-sow for the next year. The delicate orange sherbet color glows brighter in the first morning light or the last light of the evening when planted where that can be appreciated.

Papaver rupifragum, often called Spanish Poppies, or Moroccan Poppies, are native to South Spain and North Africa. They grow in alpine, rocky habitats where they prefer to be in full sun. Double Tangerine Gem Spanish Poppy is hardy in Zones 6 to 9, preferring the less harsh winters of these regions. They are perennial, but may be short lived perennials. With care, gardeners can get years of enjoyment from this beautifully fresh looking poppy. Butterflies love poppies and will be frequent visitors, but deer and rabbits tend to avoid browsing on these lovely perennials.

Double Tangerine Gem Spanish Poppy Care

Double Tangerine Gem is going to want a humus rich well draining soil with full sun exposure for best performance. This is a clump forming poppy and will appreciate the addition of some well composted organic material to enhance an ordinary garden soil. It is tolerant of a wide variation of soil pH, taking up its nutrients from the soil very efficiently. Water frequently when first established, then only when natural rainfall is insufficient as this perennial is tolerant of some drought conditions. These poppies make an excellent xeriscape inhabitant and thrive with a mulch covering of gravel if needed. Fertilizer is generally not needed, as you can simply amend particularly poor soils with a rich organic compost in the spring.

Deadheading will enhance the flower production, forcing the plant to devote its energy from seed production to producing more blooms. Clip the stem just above the foliage. Towards the end of the bloom season, consider leaving some seed pods to promote reseeding as this is a short lived perennial and that will help you to enjoy this lovely perennial for years to come. Poppies make great cut flowers for indoor arrangements, but realize that you must cauterize the stem end to keep the sap from fouling the water and you will want to harvest them just as the bud starts to break open for a longer lasting display.

Double Tangerine Gem Spanish Poppy Spacing

Space your plants about 18 inches apart. Poppies can get some plant diseases that are fostered by crowding and need room to grow. Good air circulation and early morning watering, allowing the plant to dry off well before nightfall is important for good plant health. Growing to just 24 inches tall and spreading out to 18 inches wide when mature, this poppy likes to form clumps of foliage. Divide crowded clumps in the spring or fall every 2 to 3 years or as needed. If you are looking for an early spring pop of color in your garden bed or landscape border, look no further than Double Tangerine Gem as a great complement to the rich reds and purples flowers of other perennials.