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Oriental poppy taking over

flowerpotgirlflowerpotgirl Posts: 29
in Problem solving
Does any one know how to discourage oriental poppies from taking over the bed? I started some from seed about 3 years ago. I'm afraid I don't remember what they were called but they were supposed to be red. I would say they are more orangey/red with a black centre and a good 3 to 4 feet tall. The problem is they want to spread and I can't seem to stop them, the roots go down to Australia and I keep finding baby ones  nearby in spite of deadheading religiously. Then they leave a massive hole in the border when they die back which takes some disguising! Obviously I have tried digging them up but it doesn't seem to work. I will keep trying but wondered if there anything else I can do. Any suggestions gratefully received!
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  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    Difficult. They will grow back from any bit of root left behind. My only suggestion is to dig out as much as you can, wait for the regrowth and then carefully paint with a systemic weedkiller, ie treat it like you would treat an infestation of bindweed.
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • flowerpotgirlflowerpotgirl Posts: 29
    Thanks Jenny, I guess that's the answer really. It is hard to get at between other plants but I shall keep trying. Another one to add to the list of things that fight back in my garden! Thanks for taking the time to answer.
  • purplerallimpurplerallim Posts: 5,287
    edited July 2021
    I opened up a bed that had been covered in membrane and slate for about ten years, could have been longer as the only large plant in it was 8 foot across.
    After digging it over and improving the soil added plants, but not oriental poppies.  I have never had poppies in this garden after a bad experience with californian poppies in my last, they get everywhere. 
    For the last year I've been finding poppies everywhere , in that bed, across the garden, between slabs, in gravel, even in tubs. I never moved the soil and pulled up all before heads ripened, but still they come.🙄
  • flowerpotgirlflowerpotgirl Posts: 29
    Amazing Purplerallim! And they look so sweet and innocent, but all the while they are on a mission to take over our gardens!
  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    @purplerallim it sounds amazing. Be careful for what you don't wish for.
  • purplerallimpurplerallim Posts: 5,287
    And BTW @Fire they are not the wild poppies you said you liked from my front garden last year. They aren't so prolific this year, but are putting on a show all the same.😁

    This is part of my front garden @flowerpotgirl I inherited a membrane and gravel covered area knee deep in poppies and aquilegia,  which were pulled out ( four black bags full) but every year the poppies come back. So now I just live with a display of them for a month before pulling the lot. The poor tubs out there get buried. 😆🙄😁
  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    so gorg
  • purplerallimpurplerallim Posts: 5,287
    😁
  • Nanny BeachNanny Beach Posts: 8,719
    I love poppies,bring them round,!!
  • purplerallimpurplerallim Posts: 5,287
    I've sent seed to Norfolk and as far as Scotland of these, how much they have could take over the country @Nanny Beach . 😆
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