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Poppy Problems

Last post 01-07-2012 8:02 PM by sparky. 5 replies.

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  • 24/06/2012 10:29 PM
    • sparky
    • Glasgow
    • 24 Jun 2012
    • 5
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    Hi all. First time poster. I have recently moved into my first home, and inherited a lovely garden. Having never had to look after a garden myself, I am at a loss. I have two different poppy bushes I was hoping someone may be able to identify. I think they are both the same type of poppy - simply a different colour. I think they may be oriental poppies. There is a bush to the right hand side of this first picture. Any ideas what it is? Been blooming for a while now. Looks like its starting to die. The second one took a battering in recent winds and is now badly drooping, I've done my best with staking, but it still looks a mess. Can I remove some of the foliage from the bottom to tidy it? Any tips for giving it back its shape? Thanks for any help you can give.

  • 24/06/2012 11:18 PM
    In reply to
    • Haze
    • West Sussex
    • 25 Jan 2010
    • 24
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    Hi, the poppies are oriental, just different types as you thought. The bush to the right looks like an azalea which are mostly done with flowering this time of year. The poppies can be cut to the ground when they have finished flowering, leaves and all. Give them a feed and they will be fine. They do tend to have a loose habit but I suspect the awful wind has tattered them a bit. Don't forget it is your garden now and if you don't like a plant you don’t have to keep it. Maybe poppies just aren't your thing! I would suggest not getting rid of anything until you know what it is. Hope you enjoy your new garden.

  • 24/06/2012 11:46 PM
    In reply to
    • AlexS
    • Reading
    • 06 Sep 2009
    • 500
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    Good advice from Haze. Also, I'd recommend that you cut off the seed pods once each flower has dropped its petals. This encourages the plant to produce more flowers. Also, if you let the poppies seed, you will find yourself with a forest of little poppy plants next year. Not only are these very difficult to remove, when they flower the flowers will mostly not be as good colours as the parent plant.

    Alex
  • 25/06/2012 10:35 PM
    In reply to
    • sparky
    • Glasgow
    • 24 Jun 2012
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    Thank you so much for both of your help. I have sheared the seed pods. I cut around 1-2cm above the set of leaves closest to the seed pod. Is this correct? I had no idea that they would reflower this year. Great news! Regarding the foliage at the bottom. Can i cut this away, or trim it to make it a little neater? Or would this damage the plant? Lastly... the azalea bush in the first picture - should i deadhead it? I know it won't reflower, but would this be the time to shape it for next spring? i read that dead heading it will allow the bush to produce more blossoms? Thanks again!

  • 26/06/2012 05:07 PM
    In reply to
    • Haze
    • West Sussex
    • 25 Jan 2010
    • 24
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    Hi, you can cut the poppy foliage right off if you fancy. Some people shear them off at the bottom and fill in the resultant gap with summer bedding! One thing about oriental poppies is they are nigh on indestructible! The azalea can be deadheaded to make it look neater. Not the most lovely job in the world due to some of them having very sticky sap. You could prune it now but go easy on it. Unless it's getting in the way I would leave it alone as they usually have a good shape without any intervention.

  • 01/07/2012 08:02 PM
    In reply to
    • sparky
    • Glasgow
    • 24 Jun 2012
    • 5
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    Brilliant. Red poppies finished blooming, so ive cut them right back. Thanks again for all your help!