Argemone Rosea

Argemone rosea is a rare Mexican prickly poppy distinguished by its clear rose-pink flowers, an unusual colour in a genus better known for white or yellow blooms. The delicate, crinkled petals surround a crowded golden centre and rise above glaucous, sharply lobed leaves armed with pale prickles. This contrast between fragile-looking flowers and defensive foliage gives the plant considerable character. Adapted to sunny, seasonally dry ground, it is best treated as an annual in cool climates and displayed in a gravel bed or large container where its sculptural outline can be appreciated without brushing against the spines.