How to Grow Blue Poppies

Grow blue poppies in cool shaded areas.

Blue poppy plants grow between 3- to 5-feet tall with sky-blue colored blooms that pop in any flower garden. The blue poppy grows best in a cool shaded area with acidic soil and proper drainage. A perennial, the poppy may not bloom in its first year. With proper planting and growing, you should enjoy your blue poppy plant for many years.

Things You'll Need

• Shovel
• Garden rake
• Organic compost
• Garden spade
• Water
• Pruning shears

Instructions

1. Select an area that is shaded or at least partially shaded during the day. The ground should have the proper drainage with no standing water.

2. Turn and work the soil with a shovel and a garden rake. Work the ground until the soil crumbles in your hands. Remove any rocks or roots from the soil.

3. Place organic compost on top of the soil and work into the ground with the garden rake. The compost enriches the soil.

4. Dig a hole with a garden spade that is 4- to 5-inches deep and slightly larger than the blue poppy container. Remove the poppy gently from the container and set it into the hole. Brush loose soil into the hole and tap the ground gently to remove air pockets. Water the poppy with 2 or 3 cups of water, depending on how wet or dry the soil is. Plant each poppy 2 feet apart and in the same manner.

5. Water the blue poppy plant once or twice a week. Do not over saturate the soil as the poppy suffers from root rot if over watered.

6. Remove dead blooms from the poppies during the summer months. Cut the poppy down to the ground with pruning shears in the fall. Thin the seedlings in the spring so they are 2 feet from each other.

References

• Meconopsis: Blue Poppies
• Poppies International: Blue Poppies