Oriental poppy
Papaver orientale
Oriental poppy (Papaver orientale) is a perennial suited to the Colorado Front Range. It matures to about 24 to 36 in tall and 12 to 24 in wide, needs high water, and prefers full sun to partial shade. Fire-wise zone 1-2 perennial; CSU 6.305 score 9.0 of 10.
On the CSFS firewise listhigh water24 to 36 in tall and 12 to 24 in wideLow ignitability: OK 0-30 ft from the house, CSU score 9/10Deer-resistant
Photos
- Photo 1: no rights reserved
- Photo 2: (c) Alexandr Stanislavschi, some rights reserved (CC BY)
- Photo 3: (c) Robert M Hallock, some rights reserved (CC BY)
- Photo 4: (unknown), Wikimedia Commons (CC-BY-SA)
- Photo 5: Dominicus Johannes Bergsma, Wikimedia Commons (CC-BY-SA)
- Photo 6: Ermell, Wikimedia Commons (CC-BY-SA)
At a glance
Will it survive here?
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 3 to 8
- Water needs
- high water
- Sun
- Best in full sun; tolerates partial shade.
- Soil
- clay, loam, sandy
- Soil pH
- 6.5 to 8.0
- Hail tolerance
- high
- Wind tolerance
- high
- Salt tolerance
- moderate
- Site uses
- Slopes & erosion control
How big, what shape?
- Mature size
- 24 to 36 in tall and 12 to 24 in wide
- Planting spacing
- ~17 to 24 in apart
What it looks like, and when
- Bloom time
- mid spring, early summer
- Bloom color
- orange, pink
- Bloom length
- Long (several weeks)
- Foliage
- Deciduous
Who else benefits
- Pollinator value
- high
- Deer
- Generally deer-resistant
- Colorado native
- No
Also worth knowing
- Fire rating
- Low ignitability: OK 0-30 ft from the house, CSU score 9/10
Planting & establishment
Deep-water first season to establish, then minimal water needed.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Oriental poppy good for the Colorado Front Range?
- Yes, Oriental poppy is a well-suited perennial for Colorado's Front Range.
- How big does Oriental poppy get?
- It matures to about 24 to 36 in tall and 12 to 24 in wide.
- How far apart do I plant Oriental poppy?
- Space Oriental poppy about 17 in apart for a faster, fuller bed, or up to 24 in apart for a looser planting.
- Is Oriental poppy hardy on the Front Range?
- Oriental poppy is hardy in USDA 3 to 8. The Colorado Front Range spans roughly USDA 4b to 6a, so it is well within range.
- How much water does Oriental poppy need?
- It needs high water once established.
- Is Oriental poppy native to Colorado?
- No. It is not a Colorado native, but it grows well on the Front Range.
- Is Oriental poppy deer-resistant?
- Oriental poppy is generally considered deer-resistant, though no plant is deer-proof when browse pressure is high.
- Is Oriental poppy a good firewise plant near the house?
- Oriental poppy is rated 9 of 10 in CSU Extension Fact Sheet 6.305 (2025), where higher means less ignitable, so it can go within 0 to 5 feet of the house as well as out to 30 feet when kept watered and tidy. This is general guidance based on CSU Extension Fact Sheet 6.305 (2025), not a guarantee that any plant won't burn, a well-irrigated, well-maintained plant is the goal. Follow CSU Extension defensible-space guidance and check with your local fire district before planting in the wildland-urban interface.
- How long does Oriental poppy bloom?
- Oriental poppy blooms for several weeks, a long-season performer on the Front Range. Bloom timing shifts a week or two with elevation and spring weather.
