Florist's Guide to the Best Poppy Varieties
Poppies are among the most striking and versatile flowers, with their vibrant colors and delicate petals. As a florist, incorporating different types of poppies into your arrangements can add beauty, texture, and a touch of whimsy. Below is a flower shop guide to some of the best poppy varieties to use in floral designs.
1. Oriental Poppies (Papaver orientale)
Best For: Bold, dramatic centerpieces and garden-inspired arrangements.
Description: Oriental poppies are known for their large, ruffled petals and striking colors, which can range from vibrant red to soft pinks, whites, and purples. These flowers have a strong, almost papery texture, and their black centers contrast beautifully with the petals.
Popular Varieties:
'Beauty of Livermere': Deep red with a black center, perfect for creating bold, eye-catching designs.
'Prince of Orange': Bright orange petals with a dark center, bringing a warm, fiery look to arrangements.
Care Tip: These flowers have a short vase life (2-4 days), so they are best used for one-day events or in designs where they can be replaced or refreshed frequently.
2. Icelandic Poppies (Papaver nudicaule)
Best For: Soft, romantic bouquets and spring wedding arrangements.
Description: Icelandic poppies are smaller in size but come in a wide range of pastel hues, such as yellow, pink, orange, and white. Their delicate, crinkled petals make them ideal for adding a whimsical touch to arrangements. Icelandic poppies have a long stem and a more refined, dainty appearance.
Popular Varieties:
'Champagne Bubbles': A lovely soft cream with a hint of peach, ideal for vintage-style or soft-themed bouquets.
'Sunny Side': A bright yellow variety that brings a cheerful, sunny feel to any floral design.
Care Tip: They have a slightly longer vase life than Oriental poppies, lasting up to a week, but need to be handled carefully due to their delicate stems.
3. California Poppies (Eschscholzia californica)
Best For: Casual, rustic arrangements and bouquets with a wildflower vibe.
Description: California poppies are a smaller variety with thin, delicate petals that can be orange, yellow, or red. They have a wild, untamed look, making them perfect for boho, rustic, and garden-inspired bouquets. Their vivid colors and unique shape create a sense of movement and energy in an arrangement.
Popular Varieties:
'Golden West': A warm yellow-orange that brings a golden touch to mixed bouquets.
'Red California': A deep red, almost orange, that can add a rich pop of color.
Care Tip: These flowers have a relatively short vase life and are best used fresh, ideally the day they are picked.
4. Shirley Poppies (Papaver rhoeas)
Best For: Soft, romantic arrangements with a vintage feel.
Description: Shirley poppies are delicate, with thin, papery petals in shades of pink, red, and white. These poppies have a classic, vintage look and are often seen in country or cottage-style arrangements. They are smaller than Oriental poppies but just as charming.
Popular Varieties:
'Peach Sorbet': A soft peach shade that blends well with pale colors in wedding bouquets.
'White Cloud': A soft, almost ethereal white variety that works beautifully in delicate floral designs.
Care Tip: Shirley poppies have a short lifespan (2-3 days), so it’s best to use them in arrangements that don't require long-lasting flowers, or to replace them frequently.
5. Opium Poppies (Papaver somniferum)
Best For: Dramatic, artistic, or exotic arrangements.
Description: Known for their larger heads and unique, almost sculptural appearance, opium poppies come in a variety of colors from deep purple to pale pink. The flowers have a robust, almost waxy feel, and their seed heads are often used in dried arrangements, making them perfect for long-lasting designs.
Popular Varieties:
'Black Opium': A dark, almost black flower with a contrast of vibrant yellow stamens.
'White Swan': A creamy white flower that pairs beautifully with other pale florals.
Care Tip: Opium poppies have a relatively long vase life and dry well, making them perfect for both fresh and dried floral arrangements.
6. Field Poppies (Papaver rhoeas)
Best For: Garden-inspired bouquets and arrangements with a casual, wildflower look.
Description: These poppies are similar to Shirley poppies but tend to be a bit more robust and grow in more natural, sprawling forms. Their bright red petals with black centers are a classic symbol of remembrance, but they can also bring a vibrant, natural touch to floral designs.
Popular Varieties:
'Flanders': The iconic bright red poppy, perfect for remembrance day or vintage-inspired designs.
'Ladybird': A variety with red and black spots that add a playful and distinctive flair.
Care Tip: Like other poppies, field poppies are best used fresh, as they have a short vase life and are highly sensitive to heat.
Tips for Working with Poppies
Cutting and Conditioning: Always cut poppies when they’re still in bud form or when the petals are just beginning to open. Poppies are sensitive to handling, so cutting them carefully is important to prevent bruising or wilting.
Vase Care: Keep poppies in a cool environment. Avoid placing them in direct sunlight or near heat sources, as this can shorten their vase life.
Handling Sap: Poppies exude a latex-like sap when cut, which can block the stems' ability to drink water. To prevent this, quickly dip the cut stems into boiling water for about 10-20 seconds, sealing the stem ends and improving water uptake.
Poppies are incredibly versatile, bringing color, texture, and emotion to your floral designs. Whether you're aiming for a bold, dramatic statement with Oriental poppies, a soft, romantic vibe with Icelandic or Shirley poppies, or a rustic, natural feel with California poppies, there's a variety for every style and occasion. By understanding the characteristics and care requirements of each variety, you can maximize their beauty and longevity in your arrangements.