Oriental poppies add old-fashioned charm to gardens. You may be interested in our other planting guides for Colorado Springs. Oriental poppy may be left undisturbed indefinitely. Seeds will overwinter well in colder climates and germinate when your soil finally thaws. Oriental poppies add old-fashioned charm to gardens. As with other poppy types, the alpine poppy prefers full sun, well-drained soil amended with compost, and infrequent watering. The clumps will become large, but they generally aren’t invasive. These plants usually are easy to grow, but they prefer sunny areas and soil that’s well drained. Sow the seeds in spring or fall. Flower colors include scarlet red, glowing orange, salmon pink, sparkling white and bi-colored forms. The plants are hardy, and do well in mountain gardens at high elevations. Plant poppies from seed into poor to average soil in a sunny location for a good start to growing poppy flowers in your garden.
Climate: Oriental poppies grow in hardiness zones 3-9, although they will suffer in high heat and humidity.

… Poppy seeds require a period of stratification in order to germinate. Planting and Growing Alpine Poppies Denver Plants, a gardening website, lists the alpine poppy as a short-lived perennial that self-seeds. Divide poppies in autumn to allow time for the taproot to restore itself. When this taproot is disturbed in transplanting, a lost season of bloom may occur when planting poppies. Probably not a good time to plant poppies Probably not a good time to plant poppies The earliest that you can plant poppies in Colorado Springs is February. The earliest that you can plant poppies in Colorado Springs is The silky, bowl-shaped flowers appear in late spring and burst from distinctive buds covered in bristly hairs. The last month that you can plant poppies and expect a good harvest is probably September. How to Plant Oriental Poppies. Seeds will also germinate when the soil warms in the spring. You can plant poppies a little earlier in the year because they are moderately cold tolerant. The yellow arctic poppy, like the alpine poppy, has evolved to be a short plant that can … Newcomers to Colorado will find specific information to successfully garden in Colorado's diverse climate and geography. The plants are hardy, and do well in mountain gardens at high elevations.Poppies decline rapidly in poorly drained soils. Many of the flowers feature inky-dark blotches at the base of the petals and colorful stamens in the center. Arctic Poppy. Plants grow slowly from seed; it may be easier to purchase container plants. Salvia ‘May Night’: This vigorous plant is extremely cold and drought tolerant, and is well situated to … As petals fall, the remaining seed pod adds interest and contrast in gardens.

The last month that you can plant poppies and expect a good harvest is probably Poppy seed heads add interest after blooms fade. To Plant Poppies: Sow seeds in late fall or early spring directly in the garden. Don’t wait too late in the growing season to start your poppies. Poppies grow from a taproot. Contact your local county Extension office through our Dr. James Klett discusses the history of PlantTalk Colorado.
However, you really should wait until March if you don't want to take any chances. Resource for Colorado residents to find research based gardening information for the diverse Colorado climate. California Poppies Are Easy to Grow California poppy seeds, which will germinate after the first fall rains, are very easy to grow, as they only need to be sown no more than about a quarter-inch deep in the fall or early spring (in mild, wet winter climates). Container-Grown Plants: Poppies grown in … Lightly cover seeds with soil and keep your garden moist until seedlings emerge in a week or so.