Roemeria argemone
Roemeria argemone · Papaveraceae
The gardener's calendar
Ideal time to plant roemeria argemone: set it out when the soil is neither frozen nor waterlogged, and water generously as it establishes.
ID card
- Common name
- Prickly poppy or Bristly poppy
- Family
- Papaveraceae
- Form
- Annual or biennial herbaceous plant
- Flowering
- Spring to summer (April to July)
- Flower color
- Bright red, orange or pink
- Adult size
- 30 to 60 cm in height
- Foliage
- Deciduous, glaucous and spiny
- Hardiness
- Low hardiness, prefers temperate to warm climate
- Origin
- Mediterranean basin and Middle East
Care
Exposure
Plant your prickly poppy in full sun for abundant flowering and intense colors. It tolerates shade poorly and needs 6 to 8 hours of direct light daily. An airy location promotes better overall health.
Watering
Water regularly after planting until the plant is established, then reduce watering as it tolerates drought well. Let the soil dry slightly between waterings to avoid excessive moisture. In summer, increase frequency during hot spells.
Soil
Prefer well-draining, light, even chalky or stony soil. Prickly poppy tolerates poor soils and doesn't fear aridity once established. Avoid overly compact soil or areas with standing water.
Pruning and cutting
Remove spent flowers regularly to extend blooming and encourage new buds. No structural pruning is necessary. At the end of the season, remove dried stems.
Fertilizer
Soil enriched with compost beforehand is generally sufficient. Apply balanced or low-nitrogen fertilizer in spring if soil is very poor. Avoid excess that promotes foliage at the expense of flowering.
Diseases and pests
Prickly poppy is generally robust and rarely prone to disease. Watch for rot in excessively humid conditions and slugs on young plants. Good drainage and an airy location minimize fungal problems.
Did you know?
Prickly poppy was once considered a weed of grain fields in the Mediterranean basin, but its spectacular red-orange flowering has gradually transformed it into a sought-after ornamental flower. Its name 'prickly poppy' comes from Greek and alludes to its supposed medicinal properties in ancient medicine, though these uses are no longer documented and should in no way be attempted.
Where to buy it
Plant in spring or early autumn, avoiding spells of intense heat. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, April, May, September.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
- Bleeding heartLamprocapnos spectabilis
- Corydalis flexuosaCorydalis flexuosa
- California poppyEschscholzia californica
- Opium poppyPapaver somniferum
- Solid-bulbed corydalisCorydalis solida
- Climbing corydalisCeratocapnos claviculata
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.