Everyone likes to think that you can grow anything in Southern California. And it is true that we have a wonderful climate that is great for growing plants. But there are some plants that just don’t do well here, at least not in the coastal zone. It just doesn’t get cold enough for plants that depend on a good solid winter chill, tulips being one of those plants. Of course, you could dedicate sections of your fridge to forcing pots of tulips, but part of me feels like we should spend our energy embracing plants better suited to our climate.
Like poppies!
I noticed that the most recent Annie’s Annuals catalog had a bunch of drop dead gorgeous poppies. And their latest newsletter was dedicated to poppies, many of which look a heck of a lot like some of the more exquisite tulips. Some might even say that the poppies are prettier.
Tulip photo by GingerP43. Poppy photo by Annie’s Annuals.
The tulip on the left is probably ‘Canasta,’ while the poppy on the right is ‘Danebrog.’ Obviously the colors are swapped. The tulip has red petals with white fringe, while the poppy has white petals with red fringe, but do you see the resemblance?!
Tulip photo by mastino70 . Poppy photo by keylimepie.
Here’s another poppy that looks like it could pass for a tulip. I’m not sure what variety the tulip is (‘Negrita’ maybe?), but the poppy is ‘Lauren’s Grape.’ I know Botanical Interests sells Lauren’s Grape seed, and you can buy the plant from Annie’s Annuals.
Tulip photo by annethelibrarian. Poppy photo by gnudrun.
‘Queen of the Night’ is a popular single black tulip, but isn’t the ‘Single Black’ poppy a tad bit more interesting?
Photo by layniko.
Then there are poppies that, quite frankly, are among the most stunning flowers I’ve ever seen. Period. No need to compare ‘Naughty Nineties’ to a tulip. WOW!
I think my point in this post is that if you’re committed to growing plants that are appropriate for your zone, you can find substitutes for the plants you long for but don’t grow where you live. Once you stop focusing on trying to do something nature is telling you not to do, new possibilities open up.
{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
I grow poppies from Annie’s every year and they are the show stoppers of my garden every time!
I am so glad you wrote this post and showed just how beautiful these little gals are! And the seed heads look so cool when the flower is done!
To heck with the tulips! The poppies are way more interesting and have better foliage too. Great side by side comparisons.
poppies also make stunning companions to bearded iris. both have beautiful contrasting foliage and magnificent flowers.
Oooh, good point Bob! I grew peony poppies with my bearded irises last year and they looked fabulous!
Megan–I think I agree.
Theresa–I can see why, they are are stunning.
This is a perfect and imaginative post, Fern! I like tulips, but I LOVE poppies! Fortunately, I can grow both. Well, okay…some poppies have eluded me in the past, but I’m beginning to get the hang of things. Hopefully, this will be a successful poppy summer for me!
I can understand anyone getting hooked on poppies, they’re so beautiful. Last spring we had an explosion of all kinds of poppies in our front garden that came up from a scattering of seeds in November. We didn’t seed this winter and are waiting to see what will reseed itself.
Fern the Fabulous–you have dragged a bulb fanatic like me across the street to Poppyland. I’ll check on their deer-resistance and if my four-legged co-gardeners allow it, I’ll head over to Annie’s and order up. Thanks for a beautiful and informative post.
We planted tulip bulbs at the LBCC Horticulture gardens and they’ve been popping up. However I’ll take a Papaver orientale anyday.
Adriana–Were they pre-chilled? Or some super variety of tulips that don’t need cold weather?
Fern,
I believe they were purchased pre-chilled. I can’t see Jorge, Horticulture Instructor, chilling them before we planted but I’ll double check. The blooms are huge!