Culture
Best grown in organically rich, fertile, medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun. Performs well in average garden soils as long as drainage is good. This is a cold weather plant that needs a period of winter dormancy, and generally will not grow well south of USDA Zone 7. It is generally intolerant of the high summer heat and humidity in the deep South. Mulch in winter until well established. Tends to self-seed, but self-seeded plants may not come true. Therefore, it is best to remove stems of spent flowers before seed forms. Propagation by root cuttings is relatively easy, but plants should otherwise be left undisturbed.
Noteworthy Characteristics
Papaver orientale, commonly called oriental poppy, is among the most popular poppies available. They are clump-forming plants that most often feature flowers in shades of red, orange and pink. Serrate, thistle-like, grayish-green leaves (to 12” long) are pinnately dissected into lance-shaped segments and have a somewhat weedy appearance. Foliage yellows and dies shortly after flowering, typically leaving a hole in the garden. Basal mats of new leaves appear in fall and overwinter until spring when the foliage puts on a spurt of growth up until the point when the flowers bloom.
Genus name from Latin means poppy.
Specific epithet means of the Orient.
'Fatima' is a compact, clump-forming perennial which produces large, solitary, papery, cup-shaped, 4-6" diameter, white flowers with pink margins and dark spots. Flowers appear on long stalks (to 24-30" tall) above the foliage in late spring to early summer.
Problems
No serious insect or disease problems. Wet, poorly-drained soils can cause significant problems such as root rot, particularly in winter. Botrytis and powdery mildew may also occur. Plants tend to sprawl and may need support. Leaves a void in the garden in early to mid-summer when plants go dormant.
Uses
Best in single clumps or small groups in borders. Gypsophila and Boltonia have foliage that expands as the summer progresses and may be effectively interplanted with Oriental poppies in order to fill the void left when the poppies go dormant.