and should be cut down (or pulled off
by hand) at this point. The new leaves
that return in the late summer or
autumn should be left for the winter.
The new foliage may serve as a living
mulch and help insulate the crown
from extreme temperature. The leaves
often stay green through the winter
and into spring, depending on the
conditions. If the foliage does suffer
winter injury, the new spring growth
that follows quickly covers it.
other maintenance
Well-draining soil is essential for
survival. Mulch first-year plants. Plant
or divide in August or September.
Division generally is not needed for
about 6 years or more. The plant’s
fleshy taproot can make it a challenge
to transplant. Oriental poppy is
long-lived once established.
related plantS I adore poppies.
Some of my favorite cultivars include
‘Patty’s Plum’ (gorgeous dusky purple),
‘Princess Victoria Louise’ (salmon
pink), ‘Beauty of Livermore’ (dark red),
and ‘Royal Wedding’ (pure white).
Papaver nudicaule, Iceland poppy, is
a short-lived perennial that acts almost
biennial in nature. Deadheading to
prevent seed set and cutting down
immediately after flowering may help
to extend the life of individual plants.Patrinia scabiosifolia
patrinia
caprifoliaceaeClusters of tiny yellow flowers; pinnately
divided leaves
3–6 ft. (1 ft.) high; 2 ft. wide
Full sun or part shade
Blooms August–September
Zones 4–9
pruning Deadhead for prolonged
bloom and to reduce abundant
seeding. When flowering is finished,
but before seed sets, cut stems down to
basal foliage. Leave basal foliage for
the winter.
other maintenance Provide rich,
well-draining soil for best perfor-
mance. I have had trouble establishing
patrinia after several attempts in mygardens and in clients’ gardens—per-
haps it has to do with the taproots.
Plants are supposedly long-lived once
established and seldom need division.Penstemon barbatus
beardtongue
plantaginaceaeTubular pink or scarlet flowers; low, narrow
leaves
2–3 ft. (8 in.) high; 1–1 1/2 ft. wide
Full sun
Blooms June–July
Zones 3–8
pruning Deadhead to lateral flowers
or buds to prolong bloom. The overall
appearance of the plant is enhanced by
cutting back old flowering stems to the
basal foliage. The low foliage remains
evergreen over the winter and usually
stays nice into spring. Pinching plants
when they are 12–15 in. tall will
produce more compact, fuller growth.
other maintenance Beardtongue
depends heavily on well-draining soil
for success and is drought tolerant. It
may require mulching in winter for
extra protection. This species is
short-lived, usually because of
moisture problems or a variety of foliar
diseases. It requires frequent division,
about every 3 years in the spring.Patrinia scabiosifolia