I think you'll just have to wait until spring and see what happens. It might be the case where the plants were so stressed by all the critter action, they just didn't have the energy to sprout some leaves this fall or they did sprout leaves and the critters destroyed them before you noticed. They still could next spring, but who knows.

I haven't grown Oriental poppies for a long time, but when I did and when I finally decided to dig them out and toss them, I had tiny plants sprouting from leftover roots in the ground for quite some time. These plants have an extreme desire to survive.

Kevin

Mine don't show leaves till spring. And I agree with Kevin about leftover roots.

I have two and neither one of them put up any fall foliage. They usually do. I hope they are alive!

Mine don't show leaves till spring. And I agree with Kevin about leftover roots.

Don't give up on them ever. I dug mine up once and gave them away and three or 4 years later I had two brand new plants bloom! Must have left a tiny shred of a root behind and boy was I surprised. So just be patient.
Joann

My experience is like Susan's - the oriental poppies didn't ever put up fall leaves here in a former garden where I had them.

Thanks everyone! I guess I'll wait until the spring to see if they come back. I was hoping to move them to a better location but I'll wait to see what happens in the spring and maybe move them later in the summer next year. And in all honestly... I don't think I'll ever be able to give up on poppies. Not only do I love them but I'm too stubborn to give up this easily lol

My oriental poppies always show a new flush of leaves in the fall. I thought they all did that.

They will be fine - they are immortal, invincible, unkillable.