Although it does not look like a poppy, plume poppy is a member of the poppy family native to China and Japan. This tall perennial combines a bold garden presence with delicate beauty. Feathery, creamy white flower clusters top this long-lived perennial for weeks beginning in midsummer. As they age, the flowers turn tawny brown with hints of pink. Count on the airy flower clusters to decorate the plant until the first frost. Flowers are complemented by large, scalloped leaves that resemble massive geranium foliage. Spreading by underground runners called rhizomes, plume poppy expands rapidly to form a large planting drift.
Plume Poppy Overview
Where to Plant Plume Poppy
Plume poppy needs full sun or partial shade as well as moist, well-drained soil that can be slightly acidic, neutral, or slightly alkaline. Plant plume poppy where it has space to expand and its towering height is an asset: near the back of a perennial border or as a texture-rich living screen to shield views of a garage or compost pile. Excellent planting companions include low-growing shrubs that decorate the base of plume poppy and are equally low-maintenance, such as shrub roses, weigela, and chartreuse spirea cultivars.
How and When to Plant Plume Poppy
Plant plume poppy in the spring when the danger of frost has passed. Dig a hole about twice the diameter of the nursery container and about the same depth. Place the plant in the hole and fill in the original soil to the top of the root ball. Gently tamp down the soil and water it well. Keep it watered until the plant is established.
Space plants at least 3 feet apart. Because plume poppy is an aggressive grower that tends to form large clumps rapidly, it might be better to start out with only one specimen and see how fast it grows instead of overplanting and then having to contain several plants.
Plume Poppy Care Tips
Other than keeping the spread of the plant in check, plume poppy is considered a low-maintenance plant.
Light
Plant it in full sun or part shade. It easily grows 7 or 8 feet tall in full sun and usually stands 5 to 6 feet tall in part shade.
Soil and Water
Choose a planting site that has moist, well-drained soil. Plume poppy will tolerate a range of soil types but grows best in soil that drains freely. The soil pH can be slightly acidic, neutral, or slightly alkaline (6.1 to 7.8).
After the plant is established, it has moderate watering needs but grows best when the soil is evenly moist. Water it during dry spells and make sure not to overwater it, which can lead to plant wilt and yellowing.
Temperature and Humidity
Plume poppy is quite hardy; it can survive winters in Zone 4. It is not suitable for extremely hot summers; its upper temperature limit is reached in Zone 9. The plant does not have any particular humidity requirements or intolerances.
Fertilizer
Plume poppy grows well even in nutrient-poor soil and fertilizing is generally not recommended, as rich soil will lead to aggressive growth.
Pruning
Plume poppy may self-seed in the garden. Remove spent flowers after the bloom to prevent unwanted reseeding. Overlong shoots can be pruned at any time during the growing season to keep the plant at a manageable size.
Cut the plant back to ground level in the fall after the first killing frost.
Potting and Repotting Plume Poppy
While growing plume poppy in a pot contains the growth of the plant, its considerable height can also make it challenging for container-growing. Make sure the pot is made of a heavy material (glazed ceramic or terra-cotta) so it does not topple over under the considerable weight of the plant. Choose a pot that is at least 12 inches in diameter and has large drainage holes. To add more weight to the container for stability, you can also start with a layer of pebbles or small rocks at the bottom before filling it with well-draining potting mix. Keep in mind that container plants need more frequent watering than in-ground plants.
Unlike plume poppy in the landscape, container plants should be winterized in climates with subzero winters, as the roots lack insulation from the cold.
To winterize the pots, insulate them by sinking the container in the ground or by placing in it in a second, larger pot to create a planting silo.
When the roots fill the container, repot it to a larger pot with fresh potting mix or divide it.
Pests and Problems
Plume poppy is not affected by serious pests or diseases. Root rot may occur, usually caused by overwatering. Especially in the spring, the fresh growth can attract slugs and snails.
How to Propagate Plume Poppy
Plume poppy can be propagated from seed or by division, which is usually the preferred method because it controls the spread of the plant. Depending on its growth rate, plume poppy should be divided at least every 3 to 4 years; in some locations it grows so fast that it needs to be divided every year or every other year to be kept in check.
Divide the plants in the spring shortly after the foliage emerges. Plume poppy is slow to break dormancy in the spring and is often one of the last perennials to send up foliage. Dig up the clump with a shovel and divide it into smaller sections. Replant the sections right away at the same depth as the original plant and keep them well-watered until they are established.
Types of Plume Poppy
‘Kelway’s Coral Plume'
This is the only known cultivar of plume poppy. It has powdery blue-grey foliage and copper-coral fluffy flower plumes. It reaches a mature height of 5 to 6 feet. Zone 4-9
Plume Poppy Companion Plants
Perennial Sunflower
A big, bodacious, beautiful plant, perennial sunflower is imposingly tall and floppy with large (up to 4-inch), bright yellow flowers that form in loose clusters. Most of these natives thrive in full sun and are not fussy about soil. The taller ones may need support. Excellent for cut flowers. Zone 4-9
Dahlia
Nothing beats a dahlia for summer color. Growing these varied, spiky flowers is like having a box of garden crayons at your disposal. The flowers form on branching, fleshy stems or open in solitary splendor on the bedding-plant types in mid- to late summer. The blooming season extends into fall and is only halted by the first frost. Gardeners in climates colder than Zone 8 should cut back the withered foliage after the first frost and dig up tubers to store over winter. Zone 8-10
Hardy Hibiscus
Hibiscus flowers might be the most dramatic in the garden and can bloom as large as a child's head in gorgeous colors. The hibiscus plant itself is large and dramatic, and it needs plenty of space to show off. Although the huge funnel-shape flowers seldom last more than a day, they are abundant, and the plant blooms over several weeks. The large leaves tend to draw Japanese beetles. Hibiscus needs plenty of water, so grow it in rich, loose, well-drained soil where you can water it easily and regularly during dry spells. Zone 4-9
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is plume poppy invasive?In optimal growing conditions, the plant can expand somewhat quickly by rhizomes and it also reseeds itself but it is generally not considered invasive or unruly in the garden. To contain the plant from spreading in an unwanted way, dig and discard young expanding rhizomes and deadhead spent flowers.
In optimal growing conditions, the plant can expand somewhat quickly by rhizomes and it also reseeds itself but it is generally not considered invasive or unruly in the garden. To contain the plant from spreading in an unwanted way, dig and discard young expanding rhizomes and deadhead spent flowers.
- Does plume poppy need staking?The stems of plume poppy are very sturdy and the plant rarely needs to be staked, unless it is planted in a windy location.
The stems of plume poppy are very sturdy and the plant rarely needs to be staked, unless it is planted in a windy location.