Poppies

About this book

This is the first book devoted solely to poppies, amongst the most loved and cherished plants in gardens. Not only are the true poppies, Papaver, covered, but all the members of the poppy family. This includes the horned poppies, Glaucium; the tree poppies, Dendromecon; the Californian poppies, Eschscholzia; the desert poppies, Arctomecon; the prickly poppies, Argemone; the pygmy poppies, Canbya; the plumed poppies, Macleaya; the blue poppies, Meconopsis; the long-fruited poppies, Roemeria; and many more besides. The author has concentrated primarily on the species and forms in cultivation, together with those species striking or particularly interesting, from a botanical and/or horticultural point of view, that are not at present in cultivation and really deserve to be introduced. There are general chapters on the poppy family, cultivation and classification; and a key to genera. Thereafter the individual genera, grouped into their respective subfamilies, are dealt with separately, including their more specialised cultural requirements. The species in each genus are dealt with in strict alphabetical order for convenience. Important synonyms have been included to avoid confusion or ambiguity. Botanical authorities are given for all recognised species and synonyms. This work will be very welcome to committed gardeners and horticulturalists as a much-needed - and profusely illustrated - source of practical and botanical information.