Papaver Croceum

Papaver croceum, now placed in Oreomecon as O. crocea, is a Siberian mountain poppy with hairy blue-green rosettes and slender stems carrying luminous cups in orange, yellow or warm apricot. The petals have a soft, crinkled texture and surround a boss of golden stamens, creating a bright display over a comparatively small plant. Native from southern Siberia towards north-eastern China, it combines strong winter hardiness with a preference for cool summers and open, stony soil. It is an excellent alpine or gravel-garden subject where heat and winter wet are avoided.