Papaver plants are available in about 70 varieties and include not only perennials, but annuals and biennials as well. They can be found growing wild in various climates and locales, from the lowlands to the high mountains.
Papaver, pronounced puh-PAY-ver, is much more widely known as the Poppy. Poppies prefer a well-drained, mineral soil best, tending to grow lanky in soils rich in organic matter. Native to regions of the Mediterranean, they are widely grown all around the U.S. They prefer a pH of 5.5 to 7 for optimal growth and flowering, tolerating partial shade, but thriving in full sun. Keeping the soil moist during late summer, which is their natural state of dormancy, will keep them blooming longer. Most cultivars will go dormant in the late summer but will produce new foliage as the temperatures cool in the early fall. The seed pods are often used in dried flower arrangements, but should be removed prior to opening if you want to contain their growth; they will re-seed and germinate easily.
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