Poppies

by Grey-Wilson, Christopher

• ISBN13: 9780881925036
• ISBN10: 0881925039
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2001-02-01
• Publisher: Timber Pr

Summary

Poppies, first published in 1993, was the first book devoted exclusively to these popular plants. Not only are the true poppies, genus Papaver, covered, but all the other members of the poppy family as well, including Glaucium, Dendromecon, Eschscholzia, Arctomecon, Argemone, Canbya, the plumed poppies Macleaya, Meconopsis, Roemeria, and many more. Grey-Wilson concentrates primarily on species and forms in cultivation, together with those species of striking or particular interest that are not present in cultivation but fully deserve to be introduced. For this new edition, the author included much new information about recent discoveries in the wild, as well as new cultivars introduced since Poppies was first published. There are general chapters on the family, cultivation, and classification, and a key to the genera. The individual genera, grouped into their respective subfamilies, are dealt with in detail, as are their more specialized cultivation requirements. Important synonyms have been included to avoid confusion or ambiguity. Botanical authorities are given for all recognized species and synonyms. This work will be very welcome to committed gardeners and horticulturists as a much-needed-and profusely illustrated-source of practical and botanical information.

Table of Contents

List of Illustrations	7	(16)
Preface to the New Edition	16	(1)
Acknowledgements	17	(2)
Introduction	19	(2)
The Poppy Family: Papaveraceae	21	(3)
Cultivation	24	(5)
Classification	29	(2)
Key to Genera	31	(3)
Subfamily Chelidonioideae
The Plumed Poppies: Macleaya	34	(2)
The Tree Celandines: Bocconia	36	(2)
The Greater Celandine: Chelidonium	38	(2)
The Forest Poppy: Hylomecon	40	(2)
The Celandine Poppies: Stylophorum	42	(3)
The Horned Poppies: Glaucium	45	(6)
The Eastern Horned Poppies: Dicranostigma	51	(2)
The Snow Poppy: Eomecon	53	(2)
Bloodroot: Sanguinaria	55	(3)
Subfamily Eschscholzioideae
The Californian Poppies: Eschscholzia	58	(9)
The Tulip Poppy: Hunnemannia	67	(2)
The Tree Poppies: Dendromecon	69	(2)
Subfamily Papaveroideae
The True Poppies: Papaver	71	(71)
The Long-fruited Poppies: Roemeria	142	(3)
The Woodland Poppy: Cathcartia	145	(3)
The Blue Poppies: Meconopsis	148	(65)
The Prickly Poppies: Argemone	213	(13)
The Desert Poppies: Arctomecon	226	(3)
The Pygmy Poppies: Canbya	229	(1)
The Wind Poppy: Stylomecon	230	(2)
The Californian Tree Poppies: Romneya	232	(4)
Subfamily Platystemonoideae
Cream Cups: Platystemon	236	(3)
Platystigmas: Platystigma	239	(2)
Meconellas: Meconella	241	(2)
Allied Genera (formerly Subfamily Hypecooideae)
The Little Poppies: Hypecoum	243	(4)
The Fern Poppy: Pteridophyllum	247	(2)
Major References	249	(1)
Glossary	250	(2)
Index	252

Excerpts

The Forest Poppy - Hylomecon. This little forest-dweller is one of the first poppies to come into flower in the spring. It is an excellent woodland garden plant, but succeeds in any moist, semi-shaded spot in the garden.As currently understood, the genus Hylomecon contains just a single species, H. japonicum, although the Flora USSR distinguishes the Asiatic mainland plant as a separate species (H. vernalis) from the Japanese one. In reality, H. japonicum is quite variable in both flower and leaf characters and it would be difficult to uphold two distinct species.Hylomecon comes close to both Chelidonium and Stylophorum, differing from both in its unbranched stems. It also differs from Chelidonium in having solitary rather than umbellate flowers and in the presence of bracts. In Stylophorum the flowers are generally clustered and bear bracts as well as bracteoles. In growth Hylomecon is also distinct, forming a slow-spreading clump by means of short rhizomes just beneath the soil surface. In both Chelidonium and Stylophorum growth radiates upwards from a basal rosette of leaves.There is no doubt that this is one of the most charming and colorful poppies for the woodland garden. The species is fully hardy. The flowers generally appear in May and June and, although somewhat fleeting, are produced in quantity on a vigorous plant. The species is sometimes accused of being invasive, but I have never found it to be so and, in any case, plants are fairly shallow-rooted and excess growth can be easily removed.Hylomecon thrives best in a humus-rich soil and certainly responds to top-dressing of leaf-mould or compost. In drier sunny positions it will linger on, but will rarely thrive or flower well, preferring the dappled shade of trees and shrubs. It is also an excellent little plant for the peat border, though here it may perhaps become invasive.Plants can be easily propagated from seed, which can be sown outdoors in April. However, division of the parent plant provids a more ready means of increase; divisions can be made in the early spring just before growth commences or, indeed, immediately after flowering. It is as well to mark plants, as they have often disappeared below ground by late summer.It is pleasant associated with other woodland members of the poppy family such as Eomecon chionantha, Sanguinaria canadensis, Meconopsis chelidonifolia, Cathcartia villosa or Stylophorum diphyllum. Together, these will provide interesting flowers and foliage from spring to late summer.