Papaver orientale Marlene - Oriental Poppy

Papaver orientale 'Marlene' is a variety of Oriental Poppy that will seduce with the intense colour of its large flowers, a dark red with a hint of blue, enhanced by a large heart and almost black macules. They bloom from late spring to early summer depending on the region, at the end of stout and sturdy stems facing the wind. The slightly messy cut foliage forms a lush clump that stands out in flower beds. The Oriental poppy is a perennial that is easy to grow in all good deep soils, in the sun.

Papaver orientale 'Marlene' is a herbaceous perennial plant of the Papaveraceae family whose wild ancestor is native to Asia. This plant has robust floral stems of approximately 60-70cm (24-28in) in height. It forms a bushy clump reaching 40cm (16in) in height (for the foliage) and 50cm (20in) in width. Flowering begins in early June and continues in July, usually stopped by heat and drought. Each floral stem bears at its tip a single pendulous bud that turns upwards to give birth to a large flower, approximately 13cm (5in) in diameter, with crinkled petals in 2 rows, wine red in colour and maculated with very dark violet at the base of the corolla. The flower remains open for a few hours before dropping its petals. Well-established plants produce several floral stems, ensuring the renewal of flowers for about 3 weeks. After flowering, the foliage tends to disappear, leaving room in autumn for a small basal rosette, which is characteristic of an adaptation to high temperatures and summer drought. This plant has large rough green leaves, cut and villous, giving them a slight silver reflection that is very decorative. The fleshy and deep roots of this Oriental poppy do not tolerate transplantation well, especially for adult plants.

Oriental poppies are equally at home in sophisticated flower beds as well as in cottage gardens or wildflower compositions. Associate them with wormwoods, lavenders, asters, and Nepetas with light flowering. They also beautifully accompany autumn stonecrops whose foliage develops during summer, Damascus nigellas, and cosmos for a summery atmosphere with soft colors. In any case, accompany them with perennials as they will fill the empty space after flowering.