Papaver 'White Ruffles'

Few nurseries have yet fully realised the potential and splendour of this recently introduced oriental poppy, so you won’t find it commonly offered for sale. Papaver 'White Ruffles' is simply stunning, with pure, crystal white blooms. But what sets these apart from the white blooms of other perennial poppies, is the magical way the flower petals are deeply fringed. They have a soft, tissue-like texture, and each flower can be as much as 15cm across. In the centre of each white bloom is a deep maroon-to-black central patch, where the seed capsule will later develop. The blooms are at their best in late spring and early summer.

Papaver orientale 'White Ruffles' is upright, but more compact than most oriental poppies. This white oriental poppy is clump-forming, with softly hair-covered, dark green leaves on strong, wiry stems. It is really free-flowering, too, and looks great among late spring-flowering peonies and alliums. It also makes a perfect companion to our other oriental poppies, including 'Pink Ruffles' (its sister plant), 'Marlene' and 'Patty's Plum'.