Learn about 11 of the most beautiful garden poppies, and choose the one best suited for your region. Native Area: Alps, Carpathians, Pyrenees USDA Growing Zones: 4–6 Height: 6–12 inches Sun Exposure: Full sun Native Area: Arctic regions of Northern Hemisphere USDA Growing Zones: 2–6 Height: 3–6 inches Sun Exposure: Full sun Note: this is also the species from which opium and derivative drugs are obtained—it is also known as the opium poppy. While it is technically legal to grow P. somniferum for culinary or ornamental purposes, it is a controversial plant to include in your garden. Any suspicion that you are growing it for illegal purposes can create serious problems with law enforcement agencies. It is wise to first consult state authorities if you wish to grow this plant. Native Area: Eastern Mediterranean; now naturalized widely across Europe and Asia USDA Growing Zones: 3–8 Height: 2–4 feet Sun Exposure: Full sun Sow outdoors two weeks before the last frost, and press the seeds lightly into the soil, as light enhances germination. Expect to see germination in about five days, and blooming in late June. Leave seed heads in place to allow flowers to self-sow, or add the attractive seedpods to your floral arrangements. Native Area: Eastern Mediterranean USDA Growing Zones: 3–8 Height: 2–4 feet Sun Exposure: Full sun Native Area: Eastern Mediterranean USDA Growing Zones: 3–8 Height: 2–3 feet Sun Exposure: Full sun Native Area: Western U.S. USDA Growing Zones: 3–10 (perennial in zones 6–10) Height: 12–18 inches Sun Exposure: Full sun Native Area: Europe and Asia USDA Growing Zones: 3–10 Height: 9–18 inches Sun Exposure: Full sun Although it is a native perennial in sub-polar regions, you can grow Papaver nudicaule as a cool-season annual in zones 2 to 7. The variation croceum produces orange-red flowers. Native Area: Sub-polar regions of Northern Hemisphere USDA Growing Zones: 2–7 Height: 1–2 feet Sun Exposure: Full sun All Meconopsis poppies grow best in cool, moist climates; conditions that we would consider downright dreary are ideal for blue poppies. Think foggy, cold, and damp—i.e., Scotland, Great Britain, and the Pacific Northwest. Hot, dry gardens spell death to these plants. This genus also prefers part shade conditions, not the full sun preferred by most poppies. Native Area: Himalayas USDA Growing Zones: Hardy in zones 6–8 (depends on species); grown as annuals elsewhere. Height: 1–4 feet (depends on species) Sun Exposure: Part shade Native Area: Caucasus, northeastern Turkey, northern Iran USDA Growing Zones: 3–8 Height: 2–3 feet Sun Exposure: Full sun Native Area: Morocco, Spain USDA Growing Zones: Hardy in zones 6–10; grown as annuals elsewhere. Height: 1–2 feet Sun Exposure: Full sun
