Papaver orientale ‘Brilliant’ lives up to its name — with vivid scarlet blooms that light up the garden in early summer. These hardy perennials flower freely and gently self-sow, giving you a welcome repeat the following year. A drift swaying in the breeze is a striking sight — and a magnet for pollinators.
🌸 Flowering: May to early July
📏 Height: to 60cm
🌿Perennial (short lived)
SOW: February to June or September & October. Don’t cover the tiny seeds, light helps germination. Place at a temperature of 15C until after germination which usually takes 10-21 days.
GROW: transplant to pots when large enough and grow on before planting out. Autumn sowings should be overwintered in a cold frame for planting out the following spring. These flower from the 2nd year.
ENJOY: plant in bold groups or dotted through a sunny border for real impact. The flowers don’t last long in a vase, but the dramatic buds and seed heads still make them worth cutting. Leave some to self-sow and enjoy their return next season.
TIP: if you cut whilst in bud and sear the stem ends with a match the flowers will last for longer.
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