Once you witness the sheer crepe paper-thin orange blooms nodding on tall lanky stems above a bluish green rosette, you’ll see why its common name is so apropos. An applauded brilliantly colored perennial at Chanticleer’s famed ‘ruin and gravel garden,’ Orange Feathers resists deer, tolerates drought, loves good drainage plus makes a self-sowing carefree addition to a cottage garden, rockery, stone wall or even a cut arrangement.

Blooms June–August

Size: 18" – 2' 0" high x 15" wide.

Hardy to zone 5.

While the cultivar name is a classical musical term, referring to fast-paced or brisk movements, ‘Allegro’ equally arouses our senses with 4 to 6 in. silky, brilliant orange-red petals dancing around a textural cluster of dark purple stamens. Charcoal-hued basal smudges further enhance the large cup-shaped flowers that are shouldered on compact sturdy stalks clad in pinnately cut, serrated gray-green leaves. Incite a riot of color and plant this lavish Poppy near Dahlia ‘Bishop of Oxford’.

Blooms June

Size: 2' 0" high x 18" – 18" wide.

Hardy to zone 3.

For the adventuresome gardener and not the faint-at-heart, this flamboyant beauty seduces us with her gorgeous oxblood-red flowers. Engraved by an ebony swath at each base, the overlapping, crepe-paper-like petals gather around velvety jet-black centers, while lounging on tall steadfast stems. A bushy bluish green bed of pinnately lobed, toothed and hairy foliage becomes a restful counterpoint to the large hot-headed blooms.

Blooms June

Size: 2-1/2' high x 20" wide.

Hardy to zone 3.

A blousy beauty from Norfolk, England, ‘Forncett Summer’ models well-endowed vivid salmon-pink blooms, embellished with dark knobby centers plus ebony daubs at the base of each parchment-thin petal. The shimmering ultrafringed flowers reside above a robust foundation of lanky slender stems wrapped in hairy deeply-divided gray-green leaves. Well suited for rockeries, cottage gardens and mixed borders, this long-lived upright perennial makes a stunning statement amid Salvia ‘Tanzerin’ and Allium ‘Gladiator’.

Blooms June

Size: 2-1/2' – 3' 0" high x 18" – 2' 0" wide.

Hardy to zone 3.

The successful outcome of Elinor de Konig’s Dutch breeding program, this relatively new Papaver proclaims 2 distinctive attributes: late summer repeat bloom and a more heat-resistant foundation. The huge rosy burgundy-hued flowers are described by voluptuous layers of dark ruffled petals plus raven-black button-like centers. Lounging on strong stems and blue-green leaves that don’t sulk when summer arrives, the upturned papery blooms can be combined with Monarda ‘Jacob Cline’ for a tantalizing duo.

Blooms June & August

Size: 2-1/2' – 3' 0" high x 18" – 2' 0" wide.

Hardy to zone 3.

Lending a decidedly feminine flair to any herbaceous planting, ‘Marlene’ parades layered chiffonlike petals imbued with a sumptuous shade that falls nearly midway between red and purple. Frilly pitch-dark centers and prominent inked markings at the base of each petal heighten the glamour as sturdy upright stems and blue-green feathered leaves provide a cool-hued contrast.

Blooms June.

Size: 2-1/2' high x 20" wide.

Hardy to zone 3.

Famed British nurseryman Amos Perry is credited for starting the Poppy craze in 1906 when he plucked this deeply cupped salmon-pink seedling from a bed of red-blooming poppies. Swirling around knobby coal-black centers, immense, rumpled silky petals are dabbed with midnight-purple bases. ‘Mrs. Perry’s delicate floral gorgeousness crowns straight lanky stems and light green ferny foliage.

Blooms June

Size: 2-1/2' high x 20" wide.

Hardy to zone 3.

Initially discovered as a chance seedling on the compost pile at Patricia Marrow’s Somerset nursery, this sensational Papaver is coveted for its huge, uniquely colored plum-wine flowers. The elegant 5 to 6 in. wide blooms showcase dark black splotches at the base of each papery petal and a blackberry-hued ring, which encompasses an ornate gold and maroon knobby boss. Splashing saturated color across the summer border or in a vase, the lavish display is supported by serrated grayish green leaves.

Blooms June

Size: 2-1/2' high x 20" wide.

Hardy to zone 3.

Springing forth from pendant silver-dappled buds atop staunch stems, the perfect-for-cutting double blooms showcase luscious layered petals painted in tangerine-orange shades gathered around a knob-like black center. ‘May Queen’s chock-a-block floral fanfare, which is one of the earliest to appear, plus finely dissected mound of attractive bluish green leaves make a show-stopping spectacle in the rockery, a container, cottage garden or mixed planting. Sunshine and sharp drainage ensure her energetic splendor.

Blooms May–June

Size: 2-1/2' high x 16" wide.

Hardy to zone 3.

With an Armenian heritage dating to the 17th century, this “princess” hosts magnificent ample-sized flowers. Crumpled petals in pretty salmon-pink colors are accented by pronounced black patches at their bases. The handsome blue-green clump of hairy deeply cut foliage and long, slightly relaxed stems presents a dazzling display, while big fuzzy buds and bold seed heads add intrigue.

Blooms June

Size: 2' 0" – 2-1/4' high x 15" – 18" wide.

Hardy to zone 3.

In a tribute to its name, the extravagant, deeply cupped flowers flaunt satiny white silken-thin petals waltzing around a plush purple-black brocaded center. All this floral finery dresses a bluish green pedestal of fuzzy fernlike leaves that grows weary during the summer but bounces back for a pleasing winter presence.

Blooms June.

Size: 2-1/2' high x 20" wide.

Hardy to zone 3.

Raised by the British National Collection guardian, Sandy Worth, this extravagant cultivar parades sheer, goffered white flowers with central dark purple blotches plus bold velvety mauve and black centers. The large swank blooms, distinguished by the softest blush of pink, glide above a fern-like gray-green foundation. Spotlight en masse in cottage gardens or perennial borders and relish the luminous early summer lift.

Blooms June

Size: 2-1/2' – 3' 0" high x 18" – 2' 0" wide.

Hardy to zone 3.

Dressed to the nines, ‘Turkenlouis’ puts on the Ritz with a lusty abundance of 4 to 6 in. wide, fiery red flowers. Dark purple stamens embroider a pronounced raven-hued center that clutches gossamerlike, deeply fringed petals. Modeled above thick strong stems and smoky green leaves, the high-fashion blooms guarantee a loyal summertime following.

Blooms June.

Size: 2-1/2' high x 20" wide.

Hardy to zone 3.

The English use the word “blowsy” to describe its billowy, cloudlike presence; we think it apt. Quick to establish itself in well drained soils, this Poppy’s sheer, papery blossoms have a soft, creamy apricot coloring. Prominent rounded buds, dentate leaves and the plentiful stand of flowering stems are heavily felted in gray. When planted with silvery Stachys, a soft pastel palette is achieved that welcomes the lilac hues of Nepeta ‘Longipes’.

Blooms June–July.

Size: 18" – 2' 0" high x 2' 0" wide.

Hardy to zone 6.