I started them from seeds on January 2, 2020. I planted them
out end of May, 2020. Some of them put up a flower but some
did not. According to the information these are perennials that
flower in late spring early summer and then in July the leaves die
back.
Well, mine are now, October 22, 2020 very green and lush in
the leaf department.
What’s going on?
I hope they will come roaring back in 2021.
Same as the Foxgloves. Some of them have flowered and
are still doing so, some did not. But these are biennial.
Started from seed at the same time as the poppies.
Thank you for contacting the Toronto Master Gardeners
The oriental poppy, Papaver orientales, is a true perennial hardy to USDA 3-8). It can live for years in Ontario gardens. They grow best in full sun ( 6 hours) in rich, fertile , well draining soils. One important factor to remember is that oriental poppies have a long taproot and as a result do not like to be transplanted, so try and plant them in an ideal location where they won’t be disturbed for a while.
Oriental poppies usually put on a brilliant display in May and June. When they have finished flowering, not only do the blooms wither but the foliage does as well, turning yellow and dying back into the ground leaving a large hole where they were planted. These types of plants are called ephemerals. Spring ephemerals such as poppies don’t die, but go dormant for the summer and disappear from view shortly after they stop flowering. This however does not mean that the roots have stopped growing. Oriental poppies put out another flush of new leaves in the fall in order to store food through photosynthesis for next year’s blooms.
I have been growing oriental poppies in the Markham area and I have enjoyed their recurring blooms for over 10 years. So fear not your poppies will come back with a spectacular display in 2021.
For additional information on growing Oriental Poppies