A really exuberant oriental poppy, with sumptuous, large pillar-box red flowers in early summer and downy, mid green leaves. The silky tissue-paper petals of this tall, strong-stemmed poppy are splashed with black and each flower has a dark, velvety centre. Although the flowers of all oriental poppies are ephemeral, they are easy to grow, bring a zing to any planting scheme and each plant will produce several flowers. If cut back after flowering, they may even produce a second flush. Plant in a sunny border, alongside grasses or late summer-flowering perennials, such as dahlias, which will provide interest when the plant has died back.