The Right Time to Plant Poppies in Georgia

Poppies 101

• Highway medians all throughout the South are known for the fields of wildflowers they sport in the summer, including Corn poppies (Papavar rhoeas). Hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 2 through 11, this is the most common poppy in Georgia. It prefers full sun, moderate moisture, and well-draining soil. Other poppies grown in the South include the Icelandic poppy (Papavar nudicaule) and the Oriental poppy (Papavar orientale). Both are hardy to zone 9, or zone 10 in a protected area.

Fall Planting

• In Georgia and throughout the South, the optimal time to plant poppies is autumn. Early October works well, because the plants will have begun their winter dormancy which will reduce shock to the plant. However, the new plants will still have about a month to establish their root systems before the first frost occurs, which in Georgia typically happens in early November. Poppies are notoriously averse to being transplanted, so even during the cooler days of October, wait for an overcast day to do the planting. Plan to be in the garden as early as possible, since crisp morning temperatures will ease the transition for the plant. If you plan to sow seeds instead of planting bare-root plants, autumn is still the best time. Mulch the seeded area well to insulate the seeds and protect them from being eaten or blown away.

Planting in Spring

• Planting poppies in Georgia in the spring is possible, but you must take care to ensure the new plants have time to get settled before the heat sets in. Aim for a time just shortly after the date of the last frost, usually mid March in most of Georgia. Provide adequate water and fertilizer, and watch the plants carefully to detect signs of stress.

Additional Tips

• It is not advisable to attempt to plant a poppy in the heat of a Southern summer. Instead, slip the nursery pot into an attractive planter, and treat it as a container plant until the end of the season. Keep the plant in partial shade, and feed and water regularly. However, most poppies do not transplant well, and chances are your plant will end up being an annual. In fact, the hot Georgia summers are the reason some gardeners prefer just treating poppies as annuals in the first place. Their generous self sowing habit will ensure their return to your garden in the spring.