Horned Poppy

Horned poppy is a short-lived perennial often grown as a biennial, with a low rosette of deeply cut, blue-gray leaves and branched stems bearing bright orange flowers. Its silvery foliage and summer bloom suit sunny, open plantings where sharply drained soil keeps the crown from sitting wet. ## Garden use Plant it in a coastal, gravel, or informal border garden, allowing room for the flower stems to rise above the foliage. The Royal Horticultural Society describes the species at roughly 1.6–3.3 feet tall and 4–20 inches wide; individual plants may vary, and the catalog's measured height remains within that range. Sow in place in spring or autumn because established plants resent root disturbance. ## Growing conditions Give it full sun and poor to moderately fertile, well-drained soil. Chalk, loam, and sand are suitable. It is drought resistant once established, but avoid persistently wet ground. Orange blooms appear in summer and are followed by narrow upright seed pods. ## Maintenance No routine pruning is needed. Let seed pods mature if self-sowing is desired, or remove them before seed dispersal to limit volunteers. [RHS plant profile](https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/8033/glaucium-flavum/details).