Wood Poppy

The Woody Poppy blooms in spring and early summer and is native to eastern North America. It grows in woodlands and streams with rich soil in Canada and parts of the United States. This wildflower will quickly adapt to most outdoor gardens and is grown as an ornamental and natural setting. It grows well in zones 4-9 and develops from a rhizome planted in the ground. The plant grows leaves 6" long and 2" wide, green and blue. It has several lobes on the leaves that have a silvery underside. It produces bright yellow to orange flowers in the spring and summer. 

Wood Poppy Has Beautiful Flowers

The flower appears in a cluster of bristly stems, often 12-18" tall. Each flower has three to four pedals open around stamens and yellow anthers. It produces an attractive flower that adds to any garden or border. 

When the flowers fade, cut off the flower stems to encourage them to bloom again during the season. When pruned, they bloom consistently through the summer. Plants pollinated by bees develop fruit with seeds inside. The fruit breaks apart in late summer, and the seeds are released.

Wood Poppy's Benefits

The plant is suited to shady gardens, woodlands, and gardens that plant native species. It grows with other shade plants like bleeding hearts, columbine, spiderworts, and wild ginger. It can be used in rain gardens because it tolerates very moist soil.

Planting Wood Poppy 

Plant the Woody Poppy from the garden in the early spring or summer in moist soil with shade and some sun. Add hummus to the soil and keep it moist. It may not flower the first year, but once established, it will last many years. Water in dry weather and keep a layer of mulch on the ground.