PlantFiles: Plume Poppy, Bocconia
Macleaya cordata

I planted three small plants in a moderately sunny, well drained bed. I thought two died, but they just had done their work underground, making inroads into the back of the bed, eventually popping up in six spots. One year old now they are healthy and about three feet tall. I like their erect, free-standing manner at the back of the bed. They look nice with spirea, salvia, astilbe, daisies, penstemmon and bee balm. My border contains dianthus, hakone grass, small hosta, and variegated ajuga. The combination is really complemented by the grayish green of the plume poppy. I can see that the poppies will need to be controlled as they are a bit invasive.

Yes, it can be invasive, but if you're careful, it's controllable.
It grows FAST. My clump came from a single sliced shovelfull of roots and within three years is probably 3' in circumference. I have mine in a small corner of the yard between our driveway and where the neighbors park and give it no special attention. Watered it a few times in the first year to get it established, but that's it. Chose the location partly because the plant is agressive and partly so that the plumes would catch the evening sun. Am very pleased with the effect.

Don't be fooled by the "poppy" name. We picked up three wee plants at a spring sale, and they grew huge and shot out the long tubers and runners and are spreading all over the place! I'm digging them out but a friend has some in a more appropriate spot and they are lovely -- tall and feathery and the birds like them. Exercise caution and enjoy.

Plume Poppy grows well in our area next to a shaded gate
next to a giant Black Walnut tree.

The foliage is simpy adorable, the leaf shapes render
material for many craft projects.

It appears to enjoy frequent watering, but in our gardens,
tolerates drought well. It is adored in our gardens and I
cannot wait until it begins to multiply.

KM

mine grow about 7 feet tall. They get sun for only about 4 hours per day (N.E. exposure). The leaves are spectacular and it forms a great backdrop. everyone comments on the tropical looking gigantic foilage, not realizing its a very easily grown and completely trouble-free plant. Very hardy here in my zone 3 garden. Self seeds with abandon, but seedlings are not difficult to pull out. I cut back the main stems in late spring to create a more compact and full shrub. Flowers are somewhat attractive but insignificant, they are a light tan color. I water this plant deeply, but only every 2 weeks.

The flowers on mine are a washed out pink\peach colour and mine gets taller than 6ft. Needs to be kept in check if you don't want it wandering into your other plants close by.

Although a bit invasive (I took out about 8 new ones this year for each of my 3 locations!) - I like this plant. The flowers are very fragrant and when dried are quite an interesting addition to a dried arrangement.

Heavy alkaline clay soil seems to kill this one.

Seed has very low fertility rates: sow as soon as possible for best results, no cold-stratification required.

There is 19 genera in Papaveraceae, 1 species in Macleaya. This plant does not originate in the US, but is found in nearly 20 states at this time.