ORIENTAL POPPIES 
Few flower lovers realize the great variation of color 
and form as well as the long length of blooming 
season afforded by the Oriental Poppy family. No 
other perennial con compare with it in the ease of 
culture and the number of blooms produced from the 
little effort expended. Of the many poppy species, 
P. Orientale is the long-lived perennial type which is 
becoming so popular because of its hardiness, its 
freedom from disease, and its ease of culture. Do not 
confuse this desirable toll-stalked, huge-flowered, 
long-lived perennial poppy with the small-flowered, 
weak-stemmed, short-lived Iceland or Shirley poppies. 
The gigantic flowers of the Oriental type reach a 
diameter of 6 inches and more (with flower petals 
standing naturally upright—not pressed flat horizon¬ 
tally) and vary in color from salmon to pink, from 
crushed raspberry to old rose, from red to orange, and 
from mulberry to white. 
The Oriental Poppy has a blooming season of from 
six to eight weeks in late spring, though plants pro¬ 
duce occasional flowers intermittently throughout the 
summer and early fall. The plants are prodigious 
bloomers—a young plant bearing as many as six 
flowers, while an older established clump will bear 
a dozen or more. These flowers combine in happy 
association with others of their season, especially 
with the Iris, and add a desirable bit of striking color 
to the garden picture. They show up equally well as 
specimen clumps or when planted in beds or borders. 
Oriental Poppies are grown wherever Iris are 
grown, though they do not bloom well in the hot 
southern sections which have no winter frost. They 
will grow in any ground and location, but prosper 
best when planted in full sunlight and in loose, non¬ 
acid soil. Occasional watering and tillage will pro¬ 
mote more vigorous growth and plentiful bloom. The 
plants ore quite hardy and stay green most of the 
winter under a light covering, a protection which they 
should have in the colder sections. No covering is 
needed, however, in milder climates. 
Incidentally, Oriental Poppies cannot be raised 
satisfactorily from seed. Seed produced by the loveli¬ 
est hybrids is completely sterile, and seeds from many 
of the other sorts which do germinate invariably 
revert to the older orange-scarlet hue. We increase 
our stock solely through root-propagation; the roots 
which we sell, therefore, are sure to bloom true to 
description. This factor is of utmost importance, for 
each named variety was originally the most out¬ 
standing and beautiful specimen in a group of four or 
five thousand seedlings grown experimentally by the 
originating hybridist. 
We never hove had the slightest difficulty in mak¬ 
ing successful shipments to every state in the union. 
Plants ore packed so that roots are in damp moss and 
tops well ventilated. Customers on the Atlantic sea¬ 
board invariably hove reported receiving shipments 
in first-class condition. 
Now, a word as to size. By actual comparison with 
roots and plants that we hove received from the larg¬ 
est Oriental Poppy growers in the Mid-west and East, 
we find that the overage size of our selling root is just 
three times larger than the average size sent by other 
growers. Naturally, because of this marked difference 
in size, our customers obtain a much quicker and 
greater success in their own gardens. 
Poppies make excellent cut flowers when cut in 
morning or evening, providing the ends are burned 
immediately after cutting. This burning not only seals 
the stem but sterilizes the cut surface. Pick flowers 
which have just opened or which are unfolding; then 
after taking the stalks indoors, re-cut the stalks just 
before burning. Place at once in water. Bouquets will 
last four days to a week when treated in this manner. 
The American Oriental Poppy Society is an organi¬ 
zation recently formed to stimulate interest and ad¬ 
vancement in the colorful perennial. By all means 
join this worthwhile society by remitting $2 member¬ 
ship fee to Secretary-treasurer J. Earle Smith, 541 
North 7th Street, De Kalb, Illinois. 
Explanation of descriptions below: Australia is the 
variety name; 40" means the flower stalks grow ap¬ 
proximately 40 inches in height; D 6 means that the 
diameter across the top of flower—as petals stand up 
naturally vertical and not as they ore pressed down 
flat horizontally—is 6 inches; very dork red refers to 
the color of flower; petals 5x4 means the individual 
petals measure 5 inches wide by 4 inches high; and 
the blotch is the maroon or black spot found toward 
the base of most petals. Unless otherwise stated, each 
flower has six petals. 
Planting instructions accompany each shipment. 
AUSTRALIA 40", D 6. Very dark red petals 5x4, with medium size 
blotch. A' fine new introduction which recently was imported 
from Australia where it originated. $1.50 
BLOOD RED 45", D 5. Bright blood red petals 4x3, with small black 
blotch. The petals remain upright in a cup-shape and never 
spread partially downward as in other varieties. Because of this 
vertical habit, the blossom presents a unique and attractive ap¬ 
pearance. 75c 
BRACTEATUM 30", D 4. Orange-scarlet petals 4Vtx3, with medium 
blotch. This variety is a distinct species from the others listed 
herein, but is very similar in appearance. The flowers have 
bracts which are modified leaves growing from the flower stem, 
partially enveloping the flower. It displays more orange than 
any other variety save Gold of Ophir. 50c 
CAVALIER 34", D 6. Medium red petals 5^^x4. with large black 
blotch. Fine erect stems carry well-proportioned dark green 
foliage. 75c 
NATIONAL IRIS GARDENS. BEAVERTON, OREGON 
. 30 . 
IRIS. HEMEROCALLIS 
