In this guide you will find out everything you need to know about feather poppies. How to plant, care for, prune and propagate the perennial.
The feather poppy (Macleaya cordata) offers an impressive sight in the garden. Originally native to Asia, the poppy plant can reach heights of more than two meters. The cream-colored panicle flowers are pleasing to the eye. Sufficient space should be provided for the perennial. Feather poppies spread quickly and can overgrow their neighbors if they are planted too close together. The plant is one of the largest representatives in the perennial border and is also very suitable as a cut flower.
Feather poppy special features
In its original homeland of Japan and China, the feather poppy spreads across sunny meadows and blooms there all summer long. The feather poppy has creamy white flowers. The cultivars "Flamingo" or "Coral Feather" have delicate pink flowers.
Due to its size, the plant can act as a privacy screen or conceal unsightly walls. Pot planting is also possible. If you want to prevent the feather poppy from spreading, you should take appropriate measures (rhizome blocking).
| Feather poppy (Macleaya cordata) | |
|---|---|
| Growth Characteristics: | Upright inflorescences, clumps, forms runners |
| Growth: | 200 - 300 cm |
| Flowering: | July - August |
| Flower shape: | panicle |
| Location: | Sun to partial shade |
| Floor: | fresh, permeable, nutritious |
Is feather poppy poisonous?
All parts of the buttercup plant are poisonous. A brown milky juice comes out. This can lead to skin irritation and blistering. The stains are difficult to remove from skin or fabric.
Planting feather poppies - location
The plant needs full sun for lush flowering. Half-shady places are also tolerated, but compromises have to be made in terms of growth and flowering. The feather poppy cannot develop in a shady location and will only grow stuntedly and hardly form any flowers.
ThePlants are hardy and adaptable. A location in full sun in front of a southern wall is tolerated, and rain and wind cannot harm the feather poppy.
When choosing the planting neighbors, the tendency of the feather poppy to proliferate should be considered. Giant sunflowers, Chinese reed or burnet burnet can hold their own against feather poppies in perennial beds.
Planting feather poppies - soil requirements & substrate
In the garden
The feather poppy can thrive in normal garden soil. It is important to ensure good permeability of the soil and provide a nutrient-rich substrate. In general, however, the substrate has no negative effects on the growth potential and abundance of flowers of the uncomplicated garden plant.
In tubs
The feather poppy is a bit more demanding when it is cultivated in tubs. Compost-based potting soil is ideal. The permeability of the potting soil is improved by adding sand, lava granules or expanded clay.
Planting feather poppies - step by step
- Find location
- Prepare the ground
- Note the planting distance
- Dig planting hole
- Water plant
- Create drainage
- Install Growth Lock
- Insert plant
- Fill substrate
- Press the earth lightly
- Water the plant sufficiently
➔ Plant feather poppies in buckets
The feather poppy also needs enough space in the bucket. It is important to ensure that the plant pot is appropriately deep and wide. The plant forms a strong taproot. Therefore, the planters should be at least 60 to 70 centimeters deep.
➔ Overview of planting tips
| Activity | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Set Location | • bright • full sun to partial shade • sufficient planting distance |
| Prepare substrate | • loose • permeable • sandy |
| planting | • Water the root ball • Create drainage • Insert root barrier |
Caring for feather poppies
➔ Pour spring poppies
In a sunny location, the feather poppy evaporates a lot of moistureover its lush foliage. Regular watering is necessary. On hot days it is advisable to water several times. Care must be taken to avoid waterlogging.
The top layer of soil is allowed to dry a few centimeters before the next watering takes place. The finger test helps here.
» Note: Rainwater does not always penetrate dense foliage. Therefore, irrigation may also be required after rainfall.
Potted plants use up the existing moisture very quickly and have to be watered accordingly. The irrigation water is given directly onto the root disc. If the moisture escapes from the bottom opening, the spring poppy's moisture requirements are met.
If the irrigation water collects in the saucer, there is a risk of waterlogging. Therefore, the saucer should be checked for accumulated water after each watering.
➔ Fertilize feather poppies
Outdoor plants grow luxuriantly and usually do not require any additional supply of nutrients. Nutrient-poor soil can be upgraded in spring by adding compost or manure.
If symptoms of deficiency become apparent in the form of sparse flowering or limp, pale green leaves, organic fertilizer in the form of bark humus or horn shavings is applied to the roots.
In the bucket the plant uses up the nutrient supply quickly. Liquid fertilizer is administered at monthly intervals during the growth phase. Alternatively, a long-term fertilizer in the form of sticks or small cones can be given in early summer. The nutrients are then released gradually and additional fertilization is not necessary.
➔ Cut feather poppy
The feather poppy tolerates pruning well and can be shortened at any time if it takes on unwanted proportions. To prevent the plant from sowing itself and thus multiplying even more, the withered flower stalks should be removed. In the winter months, cut back close to the ground. This promotes new growth in the coming garden year.
➔ Feather poppy care tips at a glance
| Activity | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Casting | • regularly • the floor is allowed to dry out • avoid waterlogging |
| Fertilize | • Improve soil with compost • Do not fertilize outdoor plants • Potted plants receive liquid fertilizer between April and September |
| Cut | • year-round pruning possible • remove spent flowers • close to the ground between November and AprilPruning |
Propagating feather poppies
Feather poppy can be propagated using the following methods:
- Division
- Root Cuttings
- Seeds
➔ Propagating feather poppies by division
This form of propagation is also possible for laypeople. In spring, the plant is dug up on a frost-free day. The soil is shaken off the root ball. Now the root can be divided into individual segments using a knife or spade. The sections are then planted separately.
© Tip: If you want to plant the feather poppy in groups, you should plant at least half a meter apart.
➔ Propagating feather poppies with root cuttings
As the feather poppy develops strong rhizomes, it can be propagated using root cuttings. In spring or autumn, a runner is separated from the mother plant. The section is cut into sections about six centimeters long.
» Note: Each root cutting should have at least one eye.
The bottom cut is set at an angle. Make the top cut straight. In this way, the two interfaces cannot be confused when planting.
For planting, fill small clay pots with potting soil. The root cuttings are placed separately in the planters with the sloping section down. The straight cut does not protrude from the plant pot, but closes with the substrate and should only be thinly covered with potting soil.
The root pieces are watered regularly and placed in a warm, semi-shady place. When at least two pairs of leaves have formed, the feather poppy can be planted out.
➔ Propagating feather poppies with seeds
Anyone who already owns a plant can use the ripe seeds for propagation in autumn. The pre-cultivation takes place between January and March in a warm room. A plant bowl with a glass or plastic cover can be used for cultivation. A mini greenhouse is very suitable.
» Note: Remove the cover periodically to prevent mold from forming in the planter.
The planter is filled with potting soil. The seeds are distributed at a depth of 0.5 centimeters in the planter. Cultivation takes place in a bright but not full sun location at temperatures between 18 and 22 degrees.
Germination starts after about three to six weeks. Then the cover can be removed from the seedlings. After the formation of the first pairs of leavesthe plants are isolated. Planting outdoors can take place from mid-May.
Recognize diseases and pests on feather poppies
The greatest danger for the otherwise robust plant comes from snails. These attack the young shoots and can cause the feather poppy to become bare almost overnight. This is not an obstacle for the vigorous plant and it will quickly sprout again, but snail damage affects the compact growth.
Snails should be collected regularly. In spring, slug pellets can be laid out as a preventive measure. Natural barriers can also be built from coffee grounds, egg shells or pine needles, which make it difficult for snails to reach the plant.
If the plant is covered with a white covering, it is probably infested with powdery mildew. All affected parts of the plant must be removed immediately. Spraying with a mixture of water, milk and dish soap will help fight the fungal spores. Water is mixed with milk in a ratio of 6:1. A few splashes of washing-up liquid are then added.
Winter poppies
The feather poppy is hardy outdoors and does not need any additional protection. Before frost sets in, potted plants should be placed on a base made of wood or styrofoam so that the container does not freeze through. A protection of brushwood and leaves is applied to the substrate. On mild days, the tub plant is lightly watered. There is no fertilization in winter.