Papaver orientale 'Helen Elizabeth'

Papaver orientale 'Helen Elizabeth' is absolutely breathtaking. The large bowl-shaped, salmon-pink flowers with crinkled edges appear in late spring. Their centers are accented by a velvety-black seed head surrounded by dark purple stamens. They provide a striking contrast when planted near purple Tall Bearded Iris.

When you want to introduce excitement into the June border, consider Oriental Poppies, for their ruffled and shimmering petals pack more pigment than you can imagine. Plant these clump-forming perennials in sunny spots with well-draining soil that tends to be on the drier side. (Poppies will not thrive and may not even survive in soil that is wet.) Match these late spring favorites with summer bloomers or annuals that spread out and will conceal their early dormancy. Adding to their appeal, Oriental Poppies produce fuzzy, gray-green foliage and ornamental seed pods. Over time, they typically spread 18" to 24" but are not invasive. Poppies make stunning cut flowers if you sear the ends of freshly cut stems with a match.

Special considerations for growing Oriental Poppies:

• Papaver orientale thrives in climates with dry summers, but is intolerant of high heat with humidity. The plants also need a period of cold winter temperatures. Therefore, we do not recommend planting in areas warmer than Zone 7.
• Choose a sunny location with well-drained soil. Avoid overly rich or wet soils.
• Plant the bareroot Poppies in fall upon arrival with the crown 2-3" below the soil level. Some of the new shoots may appear above ground. Water sparingly while the bareroot establishes itself and mulch lightly.
• Expect plants to establish roots and foliage the first year after planting but produce few flowers. By the second year, established plants will bloom more abundantly and the blossom count will continue to rise as plants age.
• Papaver foliage and flowers appear in late spring then the plant goes dormant for summer. The foliage dies back completely in most climates by midsummer, which is entirely normal. During this dormancy period, minimize watering and do not fertilize. In early fall, prior to overwintering, any new foliage that may appear should not be cut back.

For more information on growing Oriental Poppies, click Growing Guide.

We want our customers to receive strong, healthy plants that are ready to thrive in their gardens and homes. Here's what we'd like you to know about our shipping practices.

Delivery Timing

We aim to deliver your plants at as close to the proper time for planting in your area as possible. To do so, we consider the USDA Hardiness Zone to which we're shipping, current and forecasted weather at the destination and along the shipping route, and whether your plants are ready for transplant.

In spring, we ship first to the warmest regions and move north as planting conditions improve. For fall deliveries, we begin with the coolest regions and work south. We frequently adjust shipping schedules when extreme weather could put plants at risk while in transit or soon after arrival.

Because different plants reach readiness at different rates and are weather-sensitive in varying degree, a single order may be delivered via multiple shipments. Plants sold as part of a collection, or that are otherwise meant to arrive together, will be shipped together. Please contact our customer service team with two weeks' advance notice if you anticipate being away at the expected time of delivery. 

Tracking information for each package is delivered via email. 

Plant & Container Sizes

We deliver plants in various sizes and stages of growth, and the product detail pages of our website indicate the form and/or pot size in which the plant will be delivered. Pot sizes range from 1 pint to 1 gallon and larger. Many perennials, roses, shrubs and vines are delivered bareroot - that is, not in a container at all. Bulbs and tubers are generally delivered bareroot and fully dormant. We choose container sizes and delivery methods based on how each plant grows best, how we can minimize transplant shock, and how to minimize unnecessary bulk/weight in shipment. 

Caring for Your Plants Upon Arrival

It is important to acclimate greenhouse-grown plants to life outdoors. All plant shipments include simple instructions for handling your plants upon arrival. Further how-to information, including planting instructions, is available on each plant's product page.

Latin Name Pronunciation: pah-pah'-ver

Oriental Poppies are one of the most brilliant herbaceous perennials to grace the early summer garden. The flowers appear to be fashioned of crepe paper and can be more than 6" across on stems to 3' in height. Colors vary from true neon hues to gorgeous pastels. The bristly leaves turn brown in early summer and disappear entirely, reappearing in early fall. Avoid a hole in the garden by placing Oriental Poppies behind large perennials like Baby's Breath (Gypsophila), Siberian Iris or herbaceous Peonies, or simply fill in with shallow-rooted annuals like Nicotiana or Cosmos. Oriental Poppies will not grow in the hot, humid summers and clay soils of the South.

Please Note: The plants have long, carrot-like roots, and the bareroot Poppies we ship should be planted with 2-3" of soil over the crown. Dig a hole that's deep enough to accommodate the roots, up to 10-12" deep. Shallow planting is often the cause of failure, as is soil that is too wet.

Light/Watering: Plants need a full 8 hours of sun to flower well. While they are drought tolerant once established, give them an inch of water a week when in bud or bloom. Do not overwater when plants are dormant.

Fertilizer/Soil and pH: Poppies need a well-drained soil close to neutral, so gardeners with acid soil may want to add lime. Soil should have a pH of 6.5 to 7.0 and be well drained, as plants will not tolerate wet soils in winter, which rot the fleshy roots. Apply a slow-release fertilizer in spring, or side-dress with compost or aged manure. When planting bareroot plants, soil should be deeply prepared and the crown covered with 2-3" of soil.

Pests/Diseases: Oriental Poppies are seldom bothered by insects or disease. During extended wet weather buds may blacken and fail to open. Fungicides may be employed to help prevent this problem.

Companions: Plant behind large perennials like Siberian Iris, Baby's Breath or herbaceous Peonies to camouflage the hole left behind when Poppies go dormant in summer. Filling in with annuals such as Nicotiana or Cosmos is also effective.

Reflowering: Since deadheading does not reward the gardener with repeat bloom, you may choose to leave the flowers on the plant for the interesting seed pods that follow.

Dividing/Transplanting: Poppies have deep taproots that may make transplanting a challenge. Division is needed only every 5 years or so and the best time to divide or transplant is in August when plants are dormant.

End of Season Care: Leave any new foliage on the plant. When soil has frozen to an inch deep, apply evergreen boughs or pine needles to buffer soil temperature and help prevent the crowns from being heaved out of the soil.

Calendar of Care

Early Spring: Check soil pH and adjust to 6.5 to 7.0 if needed. Apply a slow-release fertilizer or side-dress with compost or aged manure.

Mid-Spring: Apply a fungicide if extended wet weather has caused plants to become diseased.

Summer: Plant annuals to fill in holes left by dormant plants if needed. Do not overwater dormant plants. Divide or transplant Poppies in August when they are dormant.

Winter Protection: In the fall leave new foliage alone, and mulch with a loose material like evergreen boughs or pine needles after the soil has frozen to a depth of 1".

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Should you have any questions about how our guarantee applies to a particular product or circumstance, our customer service team will be happy to help – please contact us at (800) 411-6159 or [email protected].