We're offering you a 2 or 6 PoppyKing Kong Plants for £6.99, saving you up to 30% off Thompson and Morgan's's price of £9.99 (correct as of 25.11.2025).

Poppy 'King Kong' brings unmatched vibrancy

Poppy 'King Kong' (Papaver orientale 'King Kong') is a show-stopping perennial renowned for its enormous scarlet-red flowers and bold garden presence. This oriental poppy variety is celebrated for its upright stems and lush, finely dissected green foliage, creating a stunning contrast that brings instant drama to any outdoor space.

• Botanical Profile: Papaver orientale 'King Kong' is part of the Oriental Poppy family, known for its large, crepe-paper-like blooms and reliable performance in UK gardens.
• Growth Habit: Grows up to 90cm tall, making it ideal as a focal point in mixed borders or as a striking accent among perennials.
• Flowering Period: Blooms profusely from late spring into early summer, offering vibrant colour when many other plants are just awakening.

How to Grow & Care

• Planting: Best planted between autumn and early spring. Choose a sunny spot with well-drained soil. Avoid areas prone to waterlogging.
• Soil Preference: Prefers neutral to slightly alkaline soils (pH 6.5–7.5). Add grit if needed to improve drainage.
• Watering: Water well after planting; once established, poppies are drought tolerant and require only occasional watering.
• Care Tips: Deadhead faded blooms to encourage more flowers. Cut back foliage after flowering for tidy regrowth. Mulch lightly in autumn to protect roots from frost.
• Hardiness: Fully hardy in the UK (USDA zones 3–7), tolerating cold winters without extra protection.

Design & Companion Planting Ideas

• Poppy 'King Kong''s bold flowers pair beautifully with hardy geraniums, lupins, or ornamental grasses that thrive in similar conditions.
• Add alongside low-growing perennials or silver-leaved plants like Artemisia for a striking visual contrast.
• Perfect for cottage gardens, wildlife-friendly borders, or as statement pieces in contemporary beds.

Bare Root Delivery Information

• Your plants arrive as bare root specimens—ready for immediate potting or direct planting outdoors.
• Bare roots establish quickly and reliably when planted during the dormant season (autumn through early spring).

FAQs

• When should I plant my Poppy 'King Kong'?
  You can plant bare root poppies from autumn through early spring while the plants are dormant.
• How tall do these poppies grow?
  Poppy 'King Kong' typically reaches up to 90cm (3ft) in height when mature.
• What type of soil do they prefer?
  Poppies thrive in well-drained, neutral to slightly alkaline soils. Avoid heavy clay or soggy sites for best results.