11 Types Of Poppy Flowers For A Colourful Bouquet

Poppies are one of the world's most cherished flowers, loved for their delicate, paper-like petals and vibrant colours. While many people picture the classic red poppy, the family is incredibly diverse, with hundreds of species available. 

These range from cheerful annuals that paint meadows with colour for a season, to hardy perennials that return to grace your garden year after year. This guide will walk you through the most popular and beautiful types of poppy flowers, helping you understand their unique characteristics and find the perfect variety for you.

Understanding the Poppy Family

Most of the flowers we know as poppies belong to the Papaver genus, which is part of the larger poppy family, Papaveraceae. They share a few key features: they often have four to six silky petals, a distinct central seed pod, and many species produce a milky white sap, or latex, when their stems are cut.

Understanding their life cycle is the easiest way to begin categorising them. Some poppies are annual flowers, which means they grow, flower, set seed, and die all in a single year. Others are perennial flowers, which means they live for several years, often dying back to the ground in winter and re-emerging with new growth each spring.

1. Common Poppy (Papaver rhoeas)

This is the most iconic poppy in the world. Known also as the Flanders Poppy, Corn Poppy, or Field Poppy, its brilliant red flower is a powerful symbol of remembrance and peace, particularly in Commonwealth nations. 

These flowers typically have four vivid scarlet petals, often with a dark black blotch at their base. While red is the classic colour, years of cultivation have produced varieties in a range of other beautiful shades. It grows easily from seed and thrives in sunny, open fields and garden borders.

2. Shirley Poppy (Papaver rhoeas cultivar)

The Shirley Poppy is not a separate species but a special strain of the Common Poppy. It was first developed in the 1880s by an English vicar in the village of Shirley. 

These poppies are treasured for their incredibly delicate, tissue-paper petals and a much softer colour palette. You can find them in shades of pale pink, lilac, soft salmon, white, and gentle reds, often with beautiful two-toned or picotee (dark-edged) petals. 

A key feature of the original Shirley strain is the absence of the black blotch at the centre, giving them a lighter, more ethereal appearance.

3. Breadseed Poppy (Papaver somniferum)

This is a truly stunning and impressive annual poppy. As its name suggests, this is the species from which the small, edible poppy seeds used in baking are harvested. 

The flowers are very large and can be single, semi-double, or fully double, resembling peonies. They bloom in a gorgeous range of colours, including deep purple, lilac, bright red, and pure white, all held atop strong stems with attractive blue-green foliage.

It is important to note that this species is also known as the Opium Poppy. Due to this, growing Papaver somniferum is restricted or illegal in many countries, including Singapore. 

Always be sure to check local regulations. Ornamental varieties with names like 'Lauren's Grape' or 'Danish Flag' are prized by gardeners in regions where they are permitted.

4. Ladybird Poppy (Papaver commutatum)

For a truly eye-catching display, the Ladybird Poppy is an excellent choice. These compact annual flowers has intensely bright red petals that are each marked with a bold black spot at the base. 

When the flower is fully open, these spots create a striking ring that resembles the markings on a ladybird, which is how it gets its charming name. It is a smaller plant than many other poppies, making it ideal for the front of a border or for planting in containers.

5. Oriental Poppy (Papaver orientale)

The Oriental Poppy is the queen of the perennial poppies. It is famous for its enormous, show-stopping flowers that can measure up to 15 centimetres across. 

The petals have a distinct crinkled, crepe-paper texture and come in incredibly vibrant shades of scarlet, deep orange, salmon pink, and pure white. At the centre of the flower is a dark, velvety purple-black blotch that makes the colours appear even brighter.

These poppies have a unique growth cycle. They flower in late spring and early summer. After they finish blooming, the foliage will turn yellow and die back completely as the plant goes dormant to survive the summer heat. Do not be alarmed, as this is normal. New leaves will appear in the autumn and remain through the winter.

6. Iceland Poppy (Papaver nudicaule)

Despite its name, the Iceland Poppy is not from Iceland but is native to subarctic regions of North America and Asia. It is cherished for its sweet fragrance and beautiful, cup-shaped flowers that appear on long, thin, leafless stems. 

The colour range is bright and cheerful, including sunny yellow, tangerine orange, white, cream, and warm pinks. Technically a short-lived perennial, it is often grown as a biennial or a cool-season annual, particularly in warmer climates like Singapore where it cannot tolerate the intense summer heat.

7. Welsh Poppy (Papaver cambricum)

The Welsh Poppy is a delightful and resilient flower that, unlike most of its relatives, actually prefers a bit of shade and moisture. It produces a succession of charming, simple flowers in a bright, sunny yellow or occasionally orange colour, blooming for a very long period throughout the summer. 

It self-seeds politely around the garden, filling gaps in woodland settings or shady borders without ever becoming a nuisance. Its preference for shadier spots makes it a unique and valuable addition to the poppy family.

8. Alpine Poppy (Papaver alpinum)

As its name implies, the Alpine Poppy is a small, delicate species native to mountainous regions. It is the perfect choice for rock gardens, gravel beds, or troughs where its small size can be appreciated. 

It forms a low-growing tuft of feathery, blue-green leaves, from which rise short stems topped with small flowers in shades of white, yellow, or soft pink. It requires excellent drainage and a sunny position to thrive, mimicking its native alpine scree habitat.

9. California Poppy (Eschscholzia californica)

The state flower of California, this beloved wildflower is not a "true" poppy from the Papaver genus. However, it is a close relative and shares the family's delicate beauty. Its silky, cup-shaped flowers are most famous for their brilliant, fiery orange hue, but cultivars are also available in yellow, pink, red, and white. 

A fascinating characteristic of the California Poppy is that its flowers close up each night and on cloudy days, only opening again when the sun is out. It is incredibly tough and drought-tolerant, thriving in sunny, dry conditions.

10. Himalayan Blue Poppy (Meconopsis betonicifolia)

The Himalayan Blue Poppy is the stuff of gardening legend. It is famous for producing flowers of a spectacular and rare true blue, a colour that is very hard to find in the plant world. These large, sky-blue petals surround a contrasting boss of golden-yellow stamens, creating a truly breathtaking sight. 

This poppy is notoriously difficult to grow, as it requires very specific conditions: cool, damp summers, acidic soil, and dappled shade. It is not suitable for a tropical climate like Singapore's but remains one of the most admired and aspirational flowers for enthusiasts around the world.

11. Matilija Poppy (Romneya coulteri)

Known by the wonderful nickname "fried egg flower," the Matilija Poppy is a dramatic and impressive plant. It produces the largest flowers of the entire poppy family, with huge, fragrant white petals that have a crinkled texture like crepe paper. 

In the centre is a massive, fluffy sphere of golden stamens, completing the fried egg look. This is not a small garden flower; it is a large, shrubby perennial that can grow over two metres tall and spreads by underground runners, making it best suited for a large, wilder garden space where it can roam.

Choosing the Right Poppy for Your Garden or Vase

With so much variety, there is a poppy for almost any garden. Most poppies, especially the Common, Oriental, and California types, thrive in full sun and need soil that drains well to prevent their roots from rotting. The main exception is the Welsh Poppy, which is an excellent choice for shadier, damper areas.

If you wish to enjoy poppies as cut flowers indoors, they require a special flower care to last in a vase. When you cut the stem, a milky sap will ooze out. This sap can block the stem from absorbing water. 

To prevent this, you must immediately sear the cut end of the stem for a few seconds using a flame or by dipping it in boiling water. This simple step will seal the cut and allow your beautiful poppies to stay hydrated and fresh for much longer.

Conclusion On The Types of Poppy Flowers

The world of poppies is far more rich and varied than just the iconic red flower of remembrance. From the giant, flamboyant petals of the Oriental Poppy to the delicate pastel shades of the Shirley Poppy, there is an incredible diversity to explore. 

Whether you want a hardy perennial that returns each year or a cheerful annual to fill a sunny spot, there is a poppy to suit your garden and style. Their simple elegance and profound symbolism make them a truly special addition to any home or garden.

Singapore Florist if you go-to for special bouquets. Our wide selection of flowers will make your bouquet dreams come true. Choose among our in-stock flowers or request a custom one. We’ll be glad to create it for you.

Contact us if you have any questions. We’ll be glad to help you out.

Frequently Asked Questions About The Types of Poppy Flowers

What Are the Main Types of Poppy Flowers?

The main types can be grouped into annuals, which live for one season, and perennials, which return every year. Some of the most popular species include the Common Poppy (Papaver rhoeas), the large-flowered Oriental Poppy (Papaver orientale), the Breadseed Poppy (Papaver somniferum), and the California Poppy (Eschscholzia californica), which is technically a close relative.

What Is the Most Common Type of Poppy?

The most common and widely recognised type of poppy is the Common Poppy, Papaver rhoeas. It is also known as the Flanders Poppy or Field Poppy and is famous for its bright red colour and its status as a symbol of remembrance.

Are There Different Kinds of Poppies?

Yes, there are hundreds of different kinds of poppies. The main genus, Papaver, contains over 100 species, and there are many more species in related genera like Meconopsis (Himalayan Poppies) and Eschscholzia (California Poppies). They come in a vast range of colours, sizes, and forms.

What Are the Prettiest Poppies?

Beauty is subjective, but many people consider the Oriental Poppy to be one of the prettiest due to its huge, dramatic, and vibrantly coloured flowers. Others might prefer the delicate, romantic pastel shades of the Shirley Poppy or the rare and stunning true-blue colour of the Himalayan Blue Poppy.

Do Poppies Come Back Every Year?

It depends on the type. Perennial poppies, such as the Oriental Poppy (Papaver orientale), will die back in winter and grow back from the same roots every spring. Annual poppies, like the Common Poppy (Papaver rhoeas), only live for one year but often self-seed, meaning new plants will grow from the seeds dropped by the previous year's flowers, making it seem like they come back.

What Is the Difference Between a California Poppy and a Regular Poppy?

The main difference is their scientific classification. Most "regular" poppies belong to the Papaver genus. The California Poppy belongs to a different genus called Eschscholzia. While they are in the same plant family (Papaveraceae), California Poppies have silkier, more slender petals, typically in orange or yellow, and their flowers close at night, which most Papaver species do not.