Macleaya microcarpa

PINK PLUME POPPY

No WA

Macleaya microcarpa
PINK PLUME POPPY

Macleaya microcarpa is an eye catching, and super-tough background plant.

Coral-pink smokey plumes of finest flowers

Coral-pink smoky plumes of finest flowers, froth to 1.5m. in summer.
Not listed for entry to WA

Admired for handsome, large, grey-blue-green leaves

Though even if it never flowered I would grow it just for it’s handsome, large, grey-blue-green, lobed leaves.

Creamy smoke and grey-blue-green foliage

But gardeners can be greedy, and have it all.
So when coral-pink smoke combines with the sea of cool foliage, it is a stirring 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 in pink it does

Macleaya microcarpa is commonly known as the Pink Plume Poppy, probably because the attractive foliage does look a little poppy-like (and it does belong to the broader poppy family Papaveraceae). But a poppy it ain’t, though plume in pink it does so very well.

Indestructibly tough

Plume Poppy is invaluable in gardens with tough conditions, and limited water.

Great in a tough spot

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

Tough, easy grower, & low maintenance

Plant Macleaya microcarpa in Full Sun to Part Shade. Frost hardy.
Very tolerant of a wide range of soils, from sandy to clay.
Dry & frost hardy, and able to resist drought.

Indestructibly tough with limited water

Pink 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 microcarpa in Full Sun to Part Shade.
Where it is a tough and easy grower, and do not feed or it will grow too generously.
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 microcarpa is robustly frost hardy, and able to withstand temperatures down to approx. -30°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

Macleaya microcarpa is naturally resistant to 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.

Traditional herbal medicine

Macleaya cordata has been traditionally used as herbal medicine by people in China and East Asia – where it also grows wild.
Some modern research is being done to investigate its insecticide and anti-inflammatory qualities.

Tall & stately

Macleaya microcarpa 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 microcarpa 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: 50 seeds per pack approx.
(We always aim to exceed the stated seed count, and give a generous serve).

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