Royal Wedding Oriental Poppy

Royal Wedding is a white-flowered Oriental poppy with large blooms and dark centers on tall stems. The foliage stays low, and the plant brings an early-season focal point to sunny borders. Proven Winners lists this selection for spring and summer flowering and notes that it resists deer and rabbits. ## Profile and placement This named selection of Papaver orientale grows best in full sun and well-drained garden soil. Its flowers rise above finely divided foliage, creating a clear vertical accent among lower perennials. NC State Extension notes that Oriental poppy foliage naturally dies back after flowering, then reappears as a low rosette later in the year. Place it where nearby plants can help cover the seasonal gap, while leaving room for its spreading clump. ## Seasonal display The large white flowers have dark centers and open in spring into summer. Proven Winners gives a mature height of 30 inches and a spread of 18 to 24 inches. It also identifies hummingbirds among the wildlife attracted to the flowers. Use Royal Wedding in a sunny border or grouped planting, with later-blooming neighbors to carry the display into summer. Sources: [Proven Winners plant profile](https://www.provenwinners.com/plants/papaver/royal-wedding-oriental-poppy-papaver-orientalis) · [NC State Extension plant profile](https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/papaver-orientale/) ## Maintenance Provide well-drained soil and avoid overwatering, especially around the deep taproot. Water during establishment and prolonged dry spells, then adjust to local rainfall and soil conditions. After flowering, allow the foliage to die back naturally; nearby plants can conceal the temporary gap. NC State Extension notes that Oriental poppies need winter cold for reliable seed germination and tend to struggle in hot, humid conditions.