Papaver pilosum ssp. spicatum
spike poppy
Turkey and the Eastern Mediterranean
Overview
Papaver pilosum subsp. spicatum spp. is a herbaceous perennial poppy in the Papaveraceae family, forming a basal rosette of hairy, gray-green leaves and sending up flower spikes 24-36 inches (60-90 cm) tall. Unlike the open, branching habit of many poppies, the bowl-shaped flowers, 2-3 inches (5-8 cm) across, are held closely along the upper part of each stiff, hairy stem in a spike-like arrangement. The flowers open in shades of orange to soft brick-red, sometimes aging paler, over a long early- to midsummer season. The rosette leaves are coarsely toothed and densely covered in stiff hairs. The plant grows from a taproot and is hardy in USDA zones 5 through 8, dying back to the rosette over winter. It needs full sun and sharply drained soil; wet or heavy ground, especially in winter, rots the crown. The taproot makes established plants hard to move. It self-seeds where the ground is open and may be short-lived, relying on seedlings to persist. Flowers draw bees and other pollinators. Native to rocky slopes and mountain grassland of Turkey and the eastern Mediterranean, it is grown in gravel gardens, dry borders, and naturalistic sunny plantings.
Native Range
Papaver pilosum subsp. spicatum spp. is native to rocky slopes, screes, and mountain grassland of Turkey and the eastern Mediterranean. It grows on dry, stony ground in full sun and is grown in temperate gardens.Suggested Uses
Grown in gravel gardens, dry sunny borders, rock gardens, and naturalistic plantings, spaced 12-18 inches (30-45 cm) apart. The orange spikes suit hot-colored and Mediterranean-style schemes. It self-sows to persist in open, sunny ground.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height2' - 3'
Width/Spread1' - 1'6"
Reaches mature size in approximately 1 years
Colors
Bloom Information
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
Orange to brick-redFoliage Description
Gray-greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-12 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
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Grows in full sun and gritty, sharply drained soil of low to moderate fertility. Water needs are low once established, and wet or heavy ground, especially over winter, rots the crown and taproot. In USDA zones 5 through 8 it is cold hardy and dies back to a basal rosette over winter. The plant grows from a taproot and does not move well once settled. It is often short-lived but self-seeds where the ground is open. Lean soil and sharp drainage keep the rosette firm and free-flowering.Pruning
Spent flower stems are cut to the base after bloom to tidy the plant and limit self-seeding, or left if seedlings are wanted. The rosette is left intact over winter. No other pruning is needed.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
summer
Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 2 gallons