I've grown it for many years - it's considered the best of the true reds, a deep, dark scarlet color. It's also one that is frequently mislabled, often blooming a less intense, more orange-y or fire engine red that is NOT true to form.

Thanks for the feedback. I can't wait to grow it!

I wondered if it was really red. Last year I bought "Allegro" which was supposed to be true red for my red bed, it turned out to be orange. THis is the second pretend red poppy, and I'm tired of paying for false promises.

Perhaps Beauty of Livermore is the answer. Not much else is blooming in red in May / June.

I have Allegro and Beauty of Livermore. Allegro is red altho and orange-red - Beauty of Livermore is a blue-red.

Hi. I'm looking for a red orientale poppy to stand next to my prince of orange poppy. i want it to be red - not purple and not orange. the two that i've come across online that seem like they might work are the beauty of livermere and papaver bracteum. could you explain the difference between these? would either stand out against my orange poppies?

I have Beauty of Livermere and it is fire engine red. Got it from Bluestone last year. It bloomed this year but only one flower. How long does it take to get several stalks?

I will try to attach a picture that I took the other morning. It is quite a show stopper in front of my Iris sibirica.

?

Papaver brachteatum, although related to P. orientale, is an entirely different species. It is very upright, quite tall and produces enormous flowers of a true, deep, scarlet red. It blooms several weeks earlier than the oriental poppies in my garden and requires no staking. It is commonly called the thebaine poppy after the opiate of the same name which it contains in some concentration. Its possession is illegal in some localities, so beware.

Like most perennials, oriental poppies and their close relatives take several seasons to establish and mature. You should see more blooms next spring and even more in following years, provided you are supplying the rest of the conditions the plant requires.

I love oriental poppies, but I haven't had much luck with them. Do you think I have too much heat and humidity? I used to live in Seattle and they thrived there.