Wood Poppy

The Woody Poppy blooms in spring and early summer and is native to eastern North America. It grows in Canada and parts of the United States in woodlands, along streams with rich soil. This wildflower will adapt to most outdoor gardens easily and is grown as an ornamental, and in natural settings.

The Woody Poppy Appearance

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 that are green and blue in color. It has several lobes on the leaves that have a silvery underside. It produces bright yellow to orange flowers in the spring and summer.

Woody Poppy Has Beautiful Flowers

The flower appears in a cluster on the stems that are often 12-18" in height. Their stems often have a bristly appearance. Each flower has three to four pedals that 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 they are pruned they bloom consistently through the summer. Plants that are pollinated by bees will develop a fruit with seeds inside. The fruit breaks apart in late summer and the seeds are released.

Woody Poppy Benefits

The plant is suited to shady gardens, woodlands, and gardens that plant native species. It grows well 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.

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