Papaver 'Royal Chocolate Distinction'

Papaver 'Royal Chocolate Distinction' produces large, deep, delicious, red flowers with maroon-chocolate shades on top of a dense, robust, dark green foliage. Oriental poppies are dramatic additions to the perennial border. Grow in organically rich, medium moisture soil and full sun. They go semi-dormant after flowering as summer heat increases usually flushing new foliage as summer cools into fall. Plant a low, mounding perennial in front of your poppy patch to mask the bare spot. Note that the main shipping season of May and June for potted oriental poppies corresponds with the time these poppies will naturally go dormant. The stress of shipping often brings on this dormancy a little early. Remember: it's the roots that count. New foliage will flush later in the season. Deer and rabbit resistant.

Large, satiny flowers are chocolate-maroon with a purple-black center against light green cut foliage: a deep and dark early summer romance. Minimum temperature: -40 °F