Macleaya cordata – Plume Poppy, Tree Celandine, Perennials Guide to Planting Flowers

Macleaya cordata  - Plume Poppy, Tree Celandine, Perennials Guide to Planting Flowers

Plume poppy, Macleaya cordata, Bocconia, Tree Celandine

The Plume Poppy (Bocconia cordata, Macleaya cordata) is perhaps one of the most imposing plants of the hardy border, for it grows from 6 feet to 10 feet high. The general aspect of the plant is grayish-green in color with very large and deeply cut leaves. The flowers are not very conspicuous but form huge plumes of feathery, small, creamy white blooms. Other varieties have leaves which are silvery under the surface and small white flowers which are red when in bud. The flowering season of the

Macleaya is during the Summer months, July and August, but the plumes remain attractive until cut by frost.

UTILIZE. The silvery foliage counts as white in the garden; hence, the Plume Poppy can be used where white clumps are needed. It seems adapted to wet places, is good as a specimen plant, and is excellent for the rear of borders, or to plant in front of tall shrubbery. It can also be used for the centers of beds of flowers.

GENERAL. The Plume Poppy requires lots of sunlight and a rich soil seems to promote the production of large specimen clumps, but they will grow in any good soil.

PROPAGATION. Bocconia plants grow easily from seed and attain a height of 3 feet to 4 feet the first year. They may be divided and should be confined, because the plants sucker very badly and will soon spread throughout the garden.


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