Papaver ‘Perrys White’

Description

Papaver ‘Perry’s White’ has large, silken, pure white flowers with large deep purple to black blotches in the centre. These blooms are held on straight stems above a thick clump of long, bristly, mid-green leaves. This bold, showy, perennial will make a bright splash in any bed or border. Although it will tolerate a degree of shade during the day, a spot in full sun is best. Bees and other pollinating insects will love it, too. It’s a hardy plant, that dies back each winter, to re-emerge in the spring. It likes a sunny spot on a moist, well-drained soil!

This old variety is regarded as the first white oriental poppy. These poppies were initially just red but in the early 1900s nurseryman Amos Perry was keen to breed other colours into them. He succeeded with various pinks but a white form alluded him. Then, one of his customers, sent him an irate letter saying that one of the poppies, was supposed to be pink, came out as a “nasty fat, white one”. Amos hurried along and swapped the white poppy with something more to the customer’s taste, and Papaver orientale ‘Perry’s White’ had been found… at last!