Use of Oriental Poppy Seeds offers more color and variety to the garden

Perennial borders around the world can be one of the most stunning sights, and by using Oriental poppy seeds, a spring spectacular can truly be created. Bursting with vigorous life and color, herbaceous borders explode from seemingly empty soil at the start of year, to a rich collage of textured foliage, stunning aromas, and beautiful blooms.

Any lover of poppies will know of the fantastic specimens of Oriental poppy that are to be discovered. Variety Coral Reef offers delicate petals of pale orange, while the indulgent Fancy Feathers gives a bloom of ruffled and luminously pink petals to a border. Meanwhile, Nana Allegro offers a compact variety with traditional deep red poppy hues, and Royal Wedding fills a border with large white flowers containing black highlights.

Poppy lovers around the world can create a stunning poppy tapestry

Excitingly, and unlike many other poppy varieties, Oriental poppies are perennial in nature meaning that they come back year after year. Dying back in the winter to bare earth, before bursting into vibrant life as the months begin to warm, they are therefore ideal to incorporate into any herbaceous border. And with so many interesting varieties, gardeners and poppy lovers around the world can create a stunning poppy tapestry that will grow and bloom every spring.

A border filled with Oriental poppies is fairly easy to establish, whether buying small plants or preferring to germinate and grow Oriental poppy seeds with tender loving care. It is best to grow plants on in pots until they are strong and healthy specimens. Try and use individuals which are five or six inches across, have a number of leaves on them, and are thriving so well in their pots that they seem to be bursting out. When planting out, leave 2 to 3 feet between plants so that they have enough room to grow. This will also ensure that when they die back after flowering, there is enough space for other herbaceous plants to take over. Meanwhile, due to the wonderful flower stalks that are put up, place individuals in the middle of borders so that they won't swamp smaller plants towards the front.

Color palette depends on the individual and their custom tastes. Individuals may want an explosion of vibrancy, opting to include Oriental poppies of white, red, orange and pink. Meanwhile, other gardeners may want a more subtle palette, using either a single color in conjunction with other border plants, or a couple of highlights to contrast against each other. In the latter case, white works well with any other color, while extremes of other varieties should be used for contrast. Pinks and pale oranges for example will create a feminine, cottage garden effect, while a purple and red duo will create a tropical and exotic vibe.

While using Oriental poppies to create a stunning border, thought must also be given to complimentary plants at flowering time. In addition, gardeners should contemplate other specimens that will take over and fill the gaps left by poppies as they die back. Bearded Iris species can look absolutely stunning next to Oriental poppies, flowering at the same time and offering an architectural stem of flowers to contrast with the wide and open petals of poppies. Meanwhile, rich leafy foliage nestling between plants such as dark greens of perennial geraniums, or purples and reds of heuchera's, will show off the delicate bristled leaves. They will also provide rich border succession when poppy plants begin to fade.

Whether livening up an established perennial border, or creating a new vibrant one, poppies are an ideal addition to any setting. And by using a number of different Oriental Poppy Seeds you can ensure a beautiful spring border which will flower for years and years to come.