Throughout May and June, the big blousy oriental poppies break out their large sumptuous coloured, crumpled petals from tight fisted buds,
One of the most popular Poppies in Europe, Pizzicato is an incredibly profuse, dwarf Oriental type with such strong stems that they can withstand the windiest sites. With immense 15 to 20cm (6 to 8in) blooms, saturated with colour and all boasting a deep black eye, open on vigorous, heavy-blooming 45 to 60cm (18 to 24in) plants. They bloom in a range of colours - red, scarlet, orange, salmon, mauve, rose, pink and white all with a black centre.

The ferny foliage may die back in the hottest days of summer, but returns in autumn giving a clump of beautiful winter foliage. Though liking full sun best, they bloom excellently in light shade. They grow well out of the rain, as dryish soil is to their liking, and sharp drainage is essential.
Once finished, their untidy departure is often cause for complaint. No matter - simply take the whole clump back to ground level with a pair of shears. Neat rosettes of fresh leaves will be produced within a few weeks and there may be more flowers in late summer, or use the disguise technique favoured by Miss Jekyll, allowing other later-flowering plants to cover the poppy's embarrassment.

A Fleuroselect Award Winner.

Sowing:
Sow indoors in Spring or Autumn (Feb to Apr or Aug to Sept), or sow outdoors after all frosts have passed, (usually around early May in the UK).

Sowing Indoors:
Oriental Poppies do not handle transplanting or over-watering well. If you wish to plant indoor, handle them with care when transplanting.
Sow at maximum 16 to 20°C (60 to 68°F), covering them with a very fine layer of vermiculite. Perennial Poppies seeds need light for germination. (Annual poppies need the dark) Keep moist but not wet at all times. Germination between 10 to 30 days. Prick out each seedling as it becomes large enough to handle, transplant into 7.5cm (3in) pots or trays. Gradually acclimatise to outdoor conditions for 10 to 15 days before planting out. Space 45cm (18in) apart.

Sowing Direct:
Seeds are best sown in short drills 12mm (½in) deep once temperatures reach around 20°C (68°F). They prefer a sunny open site but will grow in most sites and soils.
Sow directly outdoors where they are to flower. Prepare the ground well and rake to a fine tilth before sowing. Mark the sowing areas with a ring of light coloured sand and label if sowing more than one annual in the same bed. Sow 1.5mm (1/18th in) deep in rows 15cm (6in) apart.
Seeds germinate in 10 to 30 days. The seedlings will appear in rows approx 6-8 weeks after planting and can be told from nearby weed seedlings quite easily. Thin the seedlings out so they are finally 23cm (9in) apart by early summer. Compost should be kept slightly moist, but not wet at all times.

Cultivation:
Poor light soil is best if the goal is to keep the foliage minimal without loss of flower-power, foliage growth is more vigorous in humus type soil. In poor soil the flowers may remain more upright, whereas in rich soil the flower stems will be longer & fountain downward in the direction of the most sun.
Once the flowers have bloomed, cutting off the stems will usually produce a second bloom. Leave a few plants to self seed, others can be pulled up and composted.
Every few years the clump can be dug up, divided, & replanted in September or October. The shock of division occasionally causes it to skip a year blooming. A big old clump can also be divided into many very small starts, & protected in small pots until they are big enough to put into their permanent locations the following autumn. Mulch can be used to protect the plant over the winter.

Plant Uses:
Cottage/Informal Garden, Flower Borders and Beds, Flower arranging.

Origin:
Oriental poppies are thought to be a combination of two main species, P. orientale, introduced into Britain in 1714, and P. bracteatum. Native to the Caucasus, north-eastern Turkey, and northern Iran..
Scarlet was the only available colour until the 1930s and 1940s, when Amos Perry from Hertfordshire began breeding new varieties. His work led to a vast increase in the range of shapes and shades to include bright pinks, pale pinks, salmon pinks, pure whites and blush whites. Further developments in the 1980s saw lilac and blue introduced from Germany, and purple from Britain.