Papaver cambricum, welsh poppy
1 / 2
Perennials

Papaver cambricum

welsh poppy

PapaveraceaeEurope

At a Glance

TypePerennial
HabitClumping
FoliageDeciduous
Height12–18 inches (30–45 cm)
Width12–18 inches (30–45 cm)
Maturity2 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

5 - 9
Zone 5
Zone 6
Zone 7
Zone 8
Zone 9
These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.
Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Attracts Pollinators
Deer Resistant
Drought Tolerant
Maintenancevery low

Overview

Papaver cambricum, commonly called Welsh poppy, is a short-lived perennial or biennial in the family Papaveraceae, native to damp, shaded rocky slopes, woodland margins, stream banks, and wall crevices in the mountains and uplands of western Europe — Wales, England, Ireland, France, Spain, Portugal, and the Pyrenees. Formerly classified for many decades as Meconopsis cambrica, it was reclassified back to Papaver on the basis of molecular phylogenetic evidence in 2011. Plants form clumps of deeply pinnately divided, slightly hairy, bright green leaves 6–10 inches (15–25 cm) tall, from which slender, wiry stems rise 12–18 inches (30–45 cm) bearing solitary, four-petaled flowers in butter-yellow to rich golden-orange, each 1.5–2 inches (4–5 cm) across with a central boss of yellow stamens. The tissue-paper-thin petals have the characteristic silky, crinkled texture of poppy flowers. The species blooms from late spring through summer and self-seeds prolifically — sometimes excessively — naturalizing freely in Pacific Northwest gardens in cracks, borders, and shaded areas. A double-flowered form ('Flore Pleno') is available in both yellow and orange. All parts contain milky latex and are mildly toxic.

Native Range

Native to the mountains and uplands of western Europe, with the core range in Wales, Ireland, western England, and northwestern Spain and Portugal (the Pyrenees and Cantabrian Mountains), growing in damp, shaded rocky slopes, woodland margins, stream banks, and old wall crevices. Also naturalized in Belgium, the Netherlands, and Scandinavia. Not native to North America but widely naturalized in Pacific Northwest gardens by self-seeding.

Suggested Uses

Welsh poppy is a charming, long-flowering, easy-care perennial for Pacific Northwest shade and semi-shade gardens, naturalizing freely in the cottage garden, woodland edge, shaded border, and wall crevices. The butter-yellow to golden-orange flowers from late spring through summer provide bright color in positions where most perennials bloom only briefly. Allow it to naturalize in informal areas; control by removing seed capsules in more formal plantings. Combines well with Geranium, Alchemilla, Pulmonaria, and early ferns in a naturalistic shade border. The double-flowered form 'Flore Pleno' is longer-lasting and lower-seeding than the singles. A reliable, low-maintenance plant once a colony is established.

How to Identify

Welsh poppy is identified by its deeply pinnately divided, bright green, slightly hairy leaves forming a low basal clump 6–10 inches (15–25 cm) tall, and its solitary, four-petaled flowers in butter-yellow to golden-orange on slender, wiry stems 12–18 inches (30–45 cm) tall. The petals are thin and silky with the characteristic crinkled texture of poppy flowers. The flower buds nod before opening, then stand erect at anthesis. After flowering, narrow, oblong seed capsules develop on the stems, releasing numerous small, dark seeds that give rise to the plant's prolific self-seeding. Unlike Meconopsis species, Welsh poppy tolerates sun, drier conditions, and a wider range of soils.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height1' - 1'6"
Width/Spread1' - 1'6"

Reaches mature size in approximately 2 years

Colors

Flower Colors

yellow
orange

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

yellow

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~18 weeks
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
SpringSummerFall
Welsh poppy blooms from late spring through summer and often into early autumn, typically May through September in Pacific Northwest gardens, with peak flowering in May and June. Individual flowers last only two to three days but are replaced continuously over the long season. The prolific self-seeding means that in an established colony, plants of various ages are present simultaneously, extending the overall blooming display. Removing seed capsules before they ripen can moderate self-seeding while prolonging flowering.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

Butter-yellow to golden-orange; solitary, four-petaled, tissue-paper-thin silky petals; on slender wiry stems

Foliage Description

Deeply pinnately divided, bright green, slightly hairy; forms low basal clump

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun
Partial Shade
Full Shade
Tolerates up to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 7.5(Neutral)
357912
Soil Types
loamsandclayrocky
Drainage
well drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

1–2 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Plant in partial shade to full sun in any reasonably fertile, moist to well-drained soil. Welsh poppy is remarkably adaptable — it tolerates dry shade, poor soils, and cracks in walls and paving where it self-seeds readily. In Pacific Northwest gardens it naturalizes prolifically by self-seeding; allow seedlings to establish where desired and remove unwanted plants while still small, before the taproot develops. The plant is short-lived (typically 2–4 years per individual) but maintains itself perpetually through self-seeding in suitable gardens. Does not transplant well due to a taproot — sow or plant into final position. Water during establishment; established plants tolerate modest drought.

Pruning

Deadhead spent flowers promptly by removing the developing seed capsule to prolong flowering and reduce self-seeding, though in an established colony some seed set is desirable to maintain the population. Remove whole plants after they finish flowering and set seed in their second or third year. The colony perpetuates itself from self-sown seedlings; thin to desired density in spring.

Pruning Schedule

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
summerfall

Maintenance Level

very low

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Toxic to pets and humans