Poppies are stunning and fantastic to grow but surprisingly fussy about their neighbors. They’re actually quite particular about who they share their garden bed with.
Last spring I planted a gorgeous mixed border with poppies as the star attraction, only to watch half of them struggle while others thrived. After some frustrated research and plenty of trial and error, I’ve figured out what went wrong.
Let me share what plants should never go near your poppies, straight from my gardening disasters to your well-planned garden.
Poppies are some of the most beloved flowers in any garden. With their delicate, papery petals in bright colors like red, orange, yellow, white and pink, they add a romantic, cottage garden feel wherever they grow.
Poppies look beautiful when combined with other plants that complement their informal, natural style. The right companion plants can help poppies thrive while creating a cohesive look.
Here are some of the best companion plants to grow with poppies:
Shrubs for Poppy Companion Planting
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Abelia – Abelia’s arching habit and white blossoms pair nicely with tall poppies.
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Spirea – The fuzzy blooms of spirea shrubs complement the texture of poppies.
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Oakleaf hydrangea – Large, dramatic blooms and foliage provide contrast.
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Roses – Roses and poppies evoke classic English cottage gardens
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Artemisia – Feathery, silver foliage sets off poppies beautifully.
Perennials That Go Well with Poppies
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Delphinium – Tall spikes of delphinium tower over lower poppies
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Foxglove – The bell-like blooms of foxglove complement poppies’ open form.
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Allium – Large, round allium flowers contrast nicely with poppies.
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Salvia – Spiky flowers stand up above airy poppies.
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Butterfly weed – Orange and yellow blooms attract pollinators.
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Penstemon – Delicate tubular flowers come in poppy-like colors.
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Forget-me-nots – Tiny blooms create a blue haze around poppies.
Annuals to Plant with Poppies
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Cosmos – Cotton candy-like flowers in pinks and whites.
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Zinnias – Dense, dahlia-like blooms add bold color.
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Marigolds – Cheerful flowers come in sunset shades.
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Nasturtiums – Trailing vines with edible blooms.
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Snapdragon – Vertical spikes complement poppies’ open form.
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Alyssum – Dainty white carpet keeps poppies’ feet cool.
Grasses for Poppy Companion Planting
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Purple fountain grass – Upright form contrasts with poppies.
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Maiden grass – Airy, delicate texture pairs well.
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Blue oat grass – Pretty blue-green color complements.
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Little bluestem – Wispy, wildflower-like grass.
Best Companion Plants for Poppies in Containers
Some of the best companion plants for poppies in pots and planters include:
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Scabiosa – Lavender pincushion blooms.
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Bacopa – Trailing white flowers spill over.
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Ageratum – Clusters of fluffy blue blooms.
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Lobelia – Draping vines dotted with flowers.
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Sweet alyssum – Fragrant white carpet plant.
Key Tips for Companion Planting with Poppies
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Choose loose, informal plants like poppies for a casual look.
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Mix heights for contrast, like tall delphinium with low poppies.
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Include pollinator-friendly plants to attract bees and butterflies.
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Select plants with similar light and watering needs.
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Deadhead spent blooms for continuous flowering.
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Avoid formal plants like chrysanthemums which clash with poppies.
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Don’t overcrowd poppies, give them space to self-seed.
With their delicate beauty and colorful blooms, poppies deserve a spot in any sunny garden. By selecting the right companion plants, you can help your poppies put on an outstanding floral display. Combining poppies with plants like salvias, grasses, roses and delphinium will create a relaxed, romantic garden vignette.
Annuals To Plant With Poppies
Both annual and perennial Poppies look fabulous when planted with equally colorful annuals. Plant early blooming, hardy annuals to flower at the same time as early California and Icelandic Poppies. Pansy, violas, snapdragons, and sweet william provide bright color to start the spring growing season. Later-blooming, hot-weather annuals can be planted near perennial Poppies to help camouflage any empty spots in the garden bed. Cosmos, sunflowers, zinnia, and nasturtium shine next to Poppies.
Photo by K M, cropped, Flickr, copyright CC BY 2.0
Plants That Should Never Share Space With Your Poppies
Years ago I made the rookie mistake of planting some mint near my oriental poppies. Within two months the mint’s aggressive runners had invaded the entire bed, strangling my poppy roots and outcompeting them for water and nutrients.
Why it’s a problem:
- Mint has invasive root systems that quickly overwhelm poppy roots
- The dense mint foliage blocks sunlight poppies desperately need
- Mint’s high water requirements create overly damp conditions poppies hate
- Once established, mint is nearly impossible to remove without disturbing poppy roots
If you absolutely must have mint in your garden (and who doesn’t want fresh mojitos?), plant it in containers at least several feet away from your poppy beds.
During my experimental phase I tried interplanting vegetables with flowers – sounds pretty, right? My tomatoes and poppies became a garden disaster. The tomatoes flourished while my poppies developed fungal issues and barely bloomed.
Why they clash:
- Tomatoes need frequent, deep watering that creates soggy conditions for poppies
- As tomatoes grow tall, they shade out sun-loving poppies
- Both compete for similar soil nutrients
- Tomatoes can harbor fungal diseases that affect poppies
The shade-loving hostas with their impressive foliage might seem like a nice contrast to delicate poppies, but trust me – this combination is doomed from the start.
The problem:
- Hostas prefer shade while poppies demand full sun
- Hostas’ large leaves eventually overshadow smaller poppy plants
- Their contrasting water needs make caring for both nearly impossible
- Hostas’ dense root systems outcompete poppies’ more delicate roots
the ONLY way I grow poppies perfect germination & you’ll never buy seeds again!
FAQ
What grows best with poppies?
Companion Plants: Plant behind large perennials, like Baby’s Breath (Gypsophila), Siberian Iris or herbaceous Peonies, as mentioned above, to camouflage the hole left behind when Poppies go dormant in summer. Other good companion perennials include Phlox, and Hollyhock.
Why is it illegal to grow poppies?
Trouble with the law? while it is perfectly legal to order and possess seeds of opium poppies, it may not be legal to grow them:Federal drug laws prohibit the possession of opium poppy plant parts other then seeds. These laws aim to prevent cultivation of opium for illegal narcotic use.
What wildflowers grow with poppies?
Poppy companions such as California poppies, cornflowers, cosmos, bachelor’s buttons, larkspur, and coreopsis create vibrant and naturalistic wildflower …Apr 22, 2024
Do poppies like to be crowded?
Poppies seeded directly can be crowded together. If you broadcast seed, chances are you have clumps with too many and bare spots with not enough. Thin the clusters to reduce competition and give them room to grow. Think long-term.