Brilliant Oriental Poppy

Brilliant is a named oriental poppy with a clump-forming habit, silvery-green divided foliage and large bright orange flowers. The Royal Horticultural Society describes saucer-shaped blooms with dark blotches at the petal bases and flowering in summer. [RHS plant profile](https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/366129/papaver-oriental-group-brilliant/details) ## Seasonal display Tall, bristly stems carry the pendent buds above the foliage before the flowers open. The RHS lists a mature height of 0.5–1 m and spread of 0.1–0.5 m. The airy, divided leaves and dark flower centers make the plant noticeable in a sunny border. ## Growing conditions Plant in full sun in soil that drains well. The RHS lists chalk, clay, loam and sand as suitable soils and describes the species for moist but well-drained or well-drained conditions. Avoid sites that remain saturated. ## Maintenance After flowering, cut spent stems to the ground unless you want seed heads, and trim the foliage as it fades in summer. Water during establishment and prolonged dry weather. To preserve the named selection, propagate vegetatively rather than relying on seedlings, which may not retain the parent’s traits.