Macleaya cordata

WHITE PLUME POPPY

Macleaya cordata
WHITE PLUME POPPY

Macleaya cordata is an excellent background plant.

Creamy smoky plumes of finest flowers

Creamy smoky plumes of finest flowers on spires to 1.5m. are produced through summer.

Handsome large lobed leaves of grey-blue-green

Though it is chiefly valued for it’s handsome, large, grey-blue-green, lobed leaves.

Creamy smoky plumes and grey-blue-green foliage

So flowers and foliage combine to really make a statement as a background plant for summer display.

Showy cut flowers for a large vase

And it makes a showy cut flower for a large vase, where its smoky fineness is the perfect foil for bolder flowers.

Poppy it ain’t, though plume it does

Macleaya cordata is commonly known as the White Plume Poppy, probably because the attractive foliage does look a little poppy-like. But a poppy it ain’t (though they are distantly related), but creamy plume it does so well.

Indestructibly tough with limited water

Plume Poppy is invaluable in gardens with tough conditions, and limited water.
Because it is tolerant of heat, dry, and stoutly able to resist drought.

Perfect for a tough spot

Though it does sucker in good going – so do put it in a tougher spot to slow it down, or alternatively contain it.
It certainly makes an impressive, and indestructibly tough specimen in a large tub.

Tough, easy grower, & low maintenance

Plant Macleaya cordata in Full Sun to Part Shade.
Where it is a tough and easy grower.
So there is very little annual maintenance, except perhaps a hard chop back in winter to make way for beautiful new growth in spring.

Frost hardy

Macleaya cordata is soundly frost hardy, and able to withstand temperatures down to approx. -15°C.

Tolerant of a wide range of soils

It is also very tolerant of a wide range of soils, growing happily in any soil from sandy to clay.

Rabbit & deer resistant

Clever Macleaya cordata contains a natural insecticide (an alkaloid) in the sap, which naturally deters rabbits and deer, as they do not enjoy the taste.

Bees & insect pollinators do love the foamy flower plumes

Though Macleaya is very clever because it also produces smoky flower plumes rich in nectar and pollen – thus attracting insect pollinators in droves, including honeybees and native bees.
There is no insect deterrent in the flowers – clever.

Traditional herbal medicine

Macleaya cordata has been traditionally used as herbal medicine by people in China and Japan – its native habitat.
While today an extract is commercially used as an additive for gut-health in animal stock feed – because of its insecticide and anti-inflammatory qualities.

Tall & stately

Macleaya cordata soars up on tall, strong stems to 1.5-1.8m High x as wide as you want to let it go.

SEED SOWING ADVICE: QUICK & EASY 

Seeds of Macleaya cordata can be scattered directly in the garden during autumn, winter or early spring, as seeds need some cold before emerging in spring.
OR
Can be sown indoors at any time when suitable temperatures are available (18-22°C).
You can use a heat mat if you have one.

Sow indoors for optimum germination and quick & early plants: First sow the seeds in a punnet on the surface of good quality seed raising mix.
Then gently pat the seeds to the surface, to ensure good contact between the seeds and the mix.
But do not cover.
Because these seeds need light to germinate.

Now thoroughly moisten the punnet be standing it in a shallow water bath, and allowing the moisture to percolate up to the surface of the mix from below.

Then place in a warm, well lit position (not in any direct sunlight).
Temperatures of 18-22°C are best for optimum germination.
And you can use a heat mat if you have one, or a warm window sill or corner.

Continue to keep consistently moist by misting from a spray water bottle.
And covering the moist punnet with a clear plastic lid or plastic bag will also help maintain consistent moisture.

Seeds germinate in 14-28 days approx.

However if they do not show, then they need some chilling to break their natural dormancy.
So wrap the moist, sown punnet in cling wrap or a plastic bag, and place in fridge (not freezer) for 4-6 weeks to mimic a winter chilling.
Then remove from the fridge, unwrap punnet & return to a well-lit position at approx. 18-22°C.

Prick out the seedlings as soon as they develop their first set of true leaves and pot on (these seedlings will grow very quickly once pricked out – and will soon be ready to plant out into the garden).

Seed Count: 30 seeds per pack approx.
(We always aim to exceed the stated seed count, and give a generous serve).

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