The Poppy – From the Field to the Garden

As a typical field companion plant, the poppy is rather unpopular with farmers. However, the plant with the red flowers has now made its way into the hearts of garden owners and is intentionally planted.

In the garden, the poppy makes a great impression and has found a permanent place in perennial beds and natural gardens. Those who love poppies and have planted them once will be able to enjoy the red flowers every year.

Poppies stand out – no matter where they grow. Originally, the poppy comes from Asia and North Africa. However, since it has been growing in Europe since the Stone Age, it is considered a native field wildflower here as well. Along with the cornflower, it can be found in almost every field and grows cheerfully along roadsides. Over the years, however, the poppy has developed into a popular garden plant, and new cultivars have introduced new colors. Nowadays, poppies are not just available in vibrant red but also in delicate pink or violet. The poppy gets its name from its petals, which are paper-thin and "clap" together in the rain and wind. From May to July, the poppy blooms and then self-seeds through its capsule fruits. So, once you’ve planted poppies, you can enjoy their unique flowers year after year. These special flowers also attract some furry garden friends. Poppies are very popular with bees and bumblebees and serve as an important food source for these buzzing garden residents.

Poppies should not be missing from any perennial bed in the garden. In a natural garden, poppies blend in with other field companion plants like cornflowers and corn marigolds, creating a natural look and adding harmony to the flower bed. Poppies are also suitable for balconies and terraces. However, as a field wildflower, they can grow up to 60 centimeters tall, so for balconies and terraces, it is better to opt for newer cultivars. These varieties are smaller and now available in a variety of flower colors.

Poppies are sown in March and April directly into the open ground. As light germinators, the seeds are only placed on the soil and lightly pressed down, not covered with additional soil. When the poppies self-seed after flowering, the seeds lie on the ground and germinate there. Once the first young plants have developed, the crop can be thinned, and the individual plants can be spaced 25 centimeters apart. If the flower heads are not removed after flowering, the poppies will return on their own the following year.

Poppies, as field companion plants, are very low-maintenance and integrate well into the garden. Their only requirement is a sunny and sheltered location. Poppies will not grow in the shade. The site should be wind-protected to prevent the poppies from losing their leaves prematurely. The delicate, silk-like leaves only stay on the plant for about three days, and wind would more likely carry them away than keep them in place. The good news is that the flowers renew themselves continuously, so it’s hardly noticeable that the poppies get new flowers every three days.

Poppies are not picky about the soil either. They are content with dry, loose soil that has a high sand content and is well-draining. Otherwise, care for poppies is minimal. If you have poppies in your garden, you simply need to decide whether you want them to spread or not. If you do, no further action is necessary. If you don't want the poppies to spread, simply cut off the flowers before they can form seeds. Regularly removing old flower heads will also encourage new flower formation.