Papaver orientale Beauty of Livermere is a vigorous herbaceous perennial with a low clump of coarse, bristly green leaves. Tall hairy stems carry solitary scarlet flowers with crepe-like petals, broad black basal blotches and dark central stamens.
The dramatic flowers open from late spring into early summer and provide nectar and pollen for insects. Each flower is short-lived, but several stems renew the display, while airy companion plants can fill the space as the foliage enters summer dormancy.
Grow it in full sun and moist but well-drained chalk, clay, loam or sand. Improve poor soil with organic matter, avoid overfeeding and winter wet, deadhead if seedlings are unwanted, and trim yellowing foliage after flowering. All parts are toxic if eaten.