Papaver rhoeas

Papaver rhoeas, the field poppy, is a cornfield annual typically found growing in cultivated arable land and roadside verges. It thrives in full sun in well-drained soil and self-seeds readily. It bears scarlet single flowers with each petal often marked at its base with a black blotch. Field poppy is extremely popular with bumblebees.

Papaver rhoeas makes a good cut flower if gathered early in the morning, just as the green sheath is falling from the petals, but the blooms don't last long. It is ideal for wildlife gardens, gravel gardens and coastal locations. It also works well dotted among herbaceous perennials in ornamental borders, and in wildflower meadows, where it adds colour in the first year.

In addition to the wild red field poppy, it is possible to buy varieties with flowers in many shades including white, apricot, purple and pink. Papaver rhoeas 'Mother Of Pearl' has single and double blooms of silvery white, red and pink, while the double flowers of Papaver rhoeas 'Angels Choir Mixed' are a delightful combination of white, orange and apricot.