- Full Sun (At Least 6 Hours Of Direct Sunlight)
- Height 2.5 Feet
- Width 1.5 - 2 Feet
- Growing Zones 3-7
There are some colors only nature can produce, and Queen Alexandra Oriental Poppy (Papaver orientale) reigns above them all. Salmon-colored, papery petals reach out from a deep maroon, nearly black, center for a contrast like no other. Poppies are easy-care perennials that attract hummingbirds to their large blooms. Bloom stems rise to nearly 30 inches around fuzzy leaves before flowering in late spring or early summer. Cut blooms to enjoy indoors as fresh or dried flowers.
Queen Alexandra is hardy in zones 3 through 7 and loves sunshine. Plant a meadow of these beauties for a field of poppies or line them up to border a garden bed or patio edge. Feature one of the poppies in a sunny and well-seen spot in the garden as a focal plant or in the center or back of a container filled with low-growing contrasting deep blue flowers. The flowers are both deer and rabbit resistant.
Queen Alexandra Oriental Poppy Care
Oriental poppies love the cold temperatures while dormant in winter and the cooler days of their spring blooms. Plant them in full sun when possible. They thrive in nearly any type of soil, but avoid planting them in areas that tend to stay soggy or hold puddles after rain. Your poppies do best if the water drains away from them. Oriental poppies need no fertilizer, but adding a layer of organic compost around the plants each spring can help improve the soil and their flowering.
Despite their preference for dry, well-drained soil, poppies need average water. Cut back on watering while the plants are dormant, usually in summer heat after flowering is done. Deadheading faded flowers will not produce more blooms, but the remaining seed pods have an interest all their own. However, cutting back the leaves in summer might produce a second bloom as weather cools. Cut the plants low, just above the ground, after the plants die back in late fall. Add mulch around the plant to insulate it for winter if desired.
Queen Alexandra Oriental Poppy Spacing
Depending on the effect you want (colorful meadow or neat border), space the poppies from 18 to 24 inches apart. Measure from the center of each plant.
Queen Alexandra Oriental Poppy Information
USDA Hardiness Zones: 3-7 |
Plant Type: Perennial |
Sunlight Exposure: Full Sun |
Mature Height: 2.5 Feet |
Mature Width: 1.5 - 2 Feet |
Plant Spacing: 1.5 - 2 Feet |
Growth Habit: Upright |
Flower Color(s): Pink |
Seasonal Interest: Early Summer Late Spring |
Foliage Type: Herbaceous |
Foliage Color(s): Green |
Attracts: Hummingbirds |
Resists: Deer, Rabbits |
Features: Cut Flowers, Low Maintenance |
Uses: Border Plant Cut Flower Dried Flower Specimen or Focal Point |
Plant Brand: Proven Winners |
Botanical/Scientific Name: Papaver orientalis 'Queen Alexandra' |
- SKU:
- PAPQA
Container Sizes
Please Note: The pictures below are to give a general representation of the different container sizes. The actual size/ages of plants are estimates and will vary based on; type of plant, time of year, last pruning & many other factors.
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Standard Colors: 2-3 business days
Special Order Colors: 8 weeks - this is due to the planter being custom made with the color(s) of your choice
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Plant Shipping
Time of Order:
Summer Shipping
- If there is extreme heat we’ll delay shipping.
- We’ll have to review what areas the plants are traveling through along with your location
Once your plant is shipped you’ll receive an email with tracking information. Depending on the above criteria we’ll ship your plant(s) towards beginning of the following week from your order. We put together this helpful guide of what to do when you receive your plants in the mail.
It is important to know that all of our plants are clearly labeled for which growing zones the plant can survive in. The plants are thoroughly trialed and tested in every growing zone before we state the plant can grow in a zone. Again, our #1 priority is to ship the plants to you healthy and ready to thrive in your location. So we will do everything in our power to do so.