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Botanical name: Callirhoe involucrata
A low maintenance selection that features low growing foliage with taller stems that produce gorgeous upward facing purple flowers; blooms from mid spring until the fall; looks beautiful in large groupings, in wildflower gardens or edging.
Other names: Purple Poppy Mallow, Buffalo Poppy
| Hardiness zone | 3a |
|---|---|
| Flower color | purple |
| Foliage type | deciduous * |
| Plant form | spreading |
| Mature height | 12 inches (16 inches with the flowers) |
| Spread | 3 feet |
| Light requirements | full sun to partial shade |
| Moisture requirements | dry to moist |
| Plant origin | Texas Native |
* deciduous = loses leaves in winter
Buffalo Poppy has masses of beautiful purple buttercup flowers with white eyes at the ends of the stems from late spring to early fall, which are most effective when planted in groupings. Its deeply cut ferny leaves remain emerald green in color throughout the season. The fruit is not ornamentally significant.
Buffalo Poppy is a dense herbaceous perennial with a ground-hugging habit of growth. Its relatively fine texture sets it apart from other garden plants with less refined foliage.
This plant will require occasional maintenance and upkeep, and is best cleaned up in early spring before it resumes active growth for the season. Gardeners should be aware of the following characteristic(s) that may warrant special consideration;
Spreading
Buffalo Poppy is recommended for the following landscape applications;
Mass Planting, Border Edging, Groundcover, Naturalizing And Woodland Gardens
Buffalo Poppy will grow to be about 12 inches tall at maturity extending to 16 inches tall with the flowers, with a spread of 3 feet. Its foliage tends to remain dense right to the ground, not requiring facer plants in front. It grows at a fast rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 10 years.
This plant does best in full sun to partial shade. It is very adaptable to both dry and moist locations, and should do just fine under typical garden conditions. It is considered to be drought-tolerant, and thus makes an ideal choice for a low-water garden or xeriscape application. It is not particular as to soil pH, but grows best in sandy soils. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. This species is native to parts of our region. It can be propagated by division.
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