Steve Silk’s post on plume poppies at Gardening Gone Wild made me realize how much I take this great plant for granted. Evidence of that: I had to search high and low on my hard drive to find even one picture, the PhotoShop filtered image above of an allium with the plume poppy foliage in the background.
Echoing Steve, I love the leaves with their cut edges. My main patch is across the living room from my desk, where that foliage is framed in a window and helps block the busy road out front.
On the north side of the house, it’s maybe not as aggressive as it might be in a spot with better sun and soil. I pluck a few stray runners early in the season to keep it in bounds. It’s not the rampant hog some told me it would be when I first planted it. (I like a plant that can hold its own.) But the plumes do rise up about 7 feet.
I’ve got a real hell strip about 2 feet wide between the driveway and house with the worst soil on the place where it tops off at about 4 feet. It has a totally different character there.
If anyone wants a start, stop by.
You would be sorry you said “stop by” if I lived closer. Never one to turn down a free plant. Ha… These sound interesting. I don’t know of anyone around here that has them. I wonder why??
I had one (a colony?) in my small Brooklyn garden years ago and it threatened to take over. Gave it to a friend who planted it in his front garden, where it grew and grew, spreading outside the garden and even coming up through the sidewalk cracks. It was a neighborhood phenomenon for about 15 years. It’s the most invasive plant I’ve ever encountered, thought I’m ready to try it again. If it can survive in my wet clay (which is doubtful), it certainly won’t be invasive here.
Yes please! I would love something to grow in the crap soil around the propane tank and hide that sucker completely.
I love Plume Poppies and I’m tired of people talk smack about them. Glad you love yours!
The dog can pee on ’em all he wants. Not going to make a bit of differnce…
Welli have been inspired. Last weekend while shopping at a local daylily farm for very late season bllomers for my Ohio garden I noticed an unusual plant potted up and toppled over next to the garage. This particular daylily breeder participates in a weekly farm market and has potted plants for sale, including the plant in question. When asked what it was her response was “You can have that one if you want it.” She explained that it was a plumed poppy and while not invasive it did bare watching. Well never one to be discouraged or turn down a free plant the poppy came home with me. After reading all the comments and suggestions I think I know where it will go. If it does weel there I may use it as a screen for teh corner of my back yard. Thanks for all the tips