I make my plants work hard to earn a place in planting schemes. My rule of thumb is that they should be long-flowering, structural and provide at least two seasons of interest. One exception is the poppy. Spectacular and blowsy, the ephemeral flowers last only a few days each. Usually I would not put up with such a high-maintenance character – but for the sumptuous glamour the delicate crepe petals imbue, I am happy to pander to these demanding divas.

1 With achillea: Papaver orientale ‘Beauty of Livermere’ with Achillea ‘Terracotta’ and Crocosmia ‘Lucifer’

The leaves and flat orange plates of achillea quickly bulk up in the border to disguise the dying foliage of this spent poppy so that only the seedheads reveal its former position. Although the large, bright overtures of the papaver flowers are over, the clean stalks and the smooth sheen of the seedheads are equally attention-grabbing. You might expect your eye to fix upon the saturated red of the crocosmia, but the arching line of this plant returns our gaze to the centre of the planting. Other plants to try in combination with poppies include penstemon or aster; alternatively, try one of the New York poppies (‘Manhattan’, ‘Brooklyn’, etc), bred for longevity of foliage and flower.

2 With Persicaria bistorta: Papaver o. ‘Karine’ with Persicaria bistorta and Thalictrum aquilegiifolium

A dense backdrop of foliage plays host to the fleecy heads of thalictrum and persicaria – which despite huge differences in shape, balance the scheme by occupying a similar total volume. But it is the flowering poppies that draw the eye. Their ruffled petals neutralise the pastels as the sunlight streams through. Follow with Sanguisorba tenuifolia ‘Alba’.

3 With gleditsia: Papaver o. ‘Patty’s Plum’ with gleditsia

Although mixed borders make it very easy to disguise their short season, poppies are vivacious enough to hold their own in very simple combinations where they are even more awe-inspiring due to the sheer bravery of excess. Here, the coppiced foliage of gleditsia injects vitality to the mass planting of Papaver ‘Patty’s Plum’. As opposites on the colour wheel, these plants create a tension that could be garish were it not tempered by the delicate textures and the foliage of the trees behind. Coppicing is a great way to take advantage of the alluring foliage of many of our larger shrubs and trees on a small scale. Cutting right back to the ground produces very fresh, oversized leaves. For an alternative foil, coppice Catalpa bignonioides or Cercis canadensis.

How to grow

Oriental poppies are very easy to grow and almost thrive on neglect. Plant in sun/light shade, in well-drained soil, and just leave them to it. After flowering, the foliage of this perennial becomes yellow and untidy as it dies, so cut it back a couple of weeks after flowering ends, and include vigorous, late plants that will grow to occupy the gap this inevitably creates. When cutting back the foliage, consider leaving the seedheads on the plant to give valuable structure for the rest of the year. Remember that poppies resent disturbance, so avoid moving or splitting your plant.

Suppliers: Papaver are widely available in most garden centres and nurseries. Water Meadow Nursery in Hampshire holds the national collection and offers a mail-order service (01962 771895; www.plantaholic.co.uk).

Alternative suppliers include Crocus (0870 7871414; www.crocus.co.uk) and Perry Hill Nurseries (01892 770377; www.perryhillnurseries.co.uk).

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