Oriental poppy "Princess Victoria Louise" (Papaver orientale) is a perennial plant that develops large rosette of pinnatisect leaves. Stiff flowering stalks grow from the middle of the rosette. Atop of them large (up to 15 cm in diameter) salmon-pink blooms appear. Plants start to bloom end of May / beginning of June already. Their stems grow 60 - 80 cm tall and similarly to leaves are covered with rough hairs. After the blooming period is over, the overground part of the plant dries out and should be removed. After that action basal leaves grow back within a few weeks.

Seeds of the oriental poppy are sown in May - June directly to the field or in pots, a few per each container. The emergence occurs after 2 - 3 weeks. Seedlings are transplanted to the permanent site together with a soil lump in July - August in 50 x 50 cm spacings. Oriental poppy should grow in permeable, dry, calciferous soil on sunny sites. These plants do not tolerate overwatering. Oriental poppy are frost-resistant, however may freeze in very cold winters. Therefore you should cover them with dry foliage.

Princess Victoria Louise oriental poppy is recommended for taller perennial borders, preferably multi-species, that spread broadly in summer. It is an important species in the naturalistic and gravel gardens. Its blooms may also serve as cut flowers.

A package contains 0.2 g of "Princess Victoria Louise" oriental poppy seeds, as well as the sow-by date and a growing guide.

• Weight: 0.2 g
• Height: 60 - 80 cm
• Use: Ornamental - borders, rustic gardens, cut flower
• Flower colour: Salmon-pink
• Vegetation form: perennial
• Flower type: pinnatisect, hairy
• Site: sunny; permeable, dry, calciferous soil