The common name of poppy is widely used and, when the name is mentioned, probably most of us would immediately think of the red cornfield or Flanders poppies, symbol of the battlefields of World War 1.

However, it is also used to describe many other species of plant, and I was surprised at just how many when I came to add them up! At first glance they are all so different that you might be forgiven for thinking that those who named them were short of imagination.

On second thoughts though, it seems they might all be united in having those large but delicate, paper thin petals with the little pepper pot shakers at the

centre for dispersing the seed.

The botanists must agree, for they are all grouped into the same plant family, the Papaveraceae.

True poppies belong to the genus Papaver, which includes the cornfield poppy, Papaver rhoeas and the opium poppy, Papaver somniferum.

It also includes the large-flowered oriental poppies of the traditional herbaceous border, Papaver orientalis and its cultivars.

These come in many different colours, from white through to deep red and purple, single or double, with or without dark spots and centres.

They are all tough, easy to grow plants that flower for several weeks in early summer, and though they have a tendency to flop over they are valuable plants for an informal summer border.

One of the most widespread poppies in the Lake District

is the little Welsh poppy, Meconopsis cambrica.

Less than a foot high, with ferny green foliage, it comes in two colours, yellow and orange (like those tins of citrus fruit flavoured sweets!) and seeds itself generously around in gardens where it finds a foothold.

Other Meconopsis that grow well in shady, moist conditions are the Himalayan blue poppies, Meconopsis grandis and M.

betonicifolia.

Guaranteed to cause a stir among visitors, these are short-lived perennials, three to four feet tall with deep or pale blue, nodding flowers produced in late spring.

Californian poppies belong to the genus Eschscholtzia (try saying that with a mouthful).

They are annuals, easily grown from seed each year and well worth the effort.

The flowers are held above ferny, blue-green foliage, about 12 inches tall and the most brilliant shades of red, orange, yellow and white.

Sow them in late spring for a summer long display.

The plume poppy, Macleaya cordata, is a monster plant, with the tiniest flowers.

It is an herbaceous perennial with stems reaching between six and seven feet tall, generous architectural foliage and a haze of coral pink flower panicles above.

Beware of planting this in a confined space, it is very 'robust' and will eventually spread to cover a large area, squashing smaller plants underfoot!

Jobs for this week...

_ Deadhead herbaceous perennials if you have time, to encourage more flowers rather than the production of seeds.

_ Peg down strawberry runners to raise new plants.

When rooted these can be lifted gently and used to replace older, worn out plants.

_ Take cuttings of hardy shrubs, using firm young side shoots or the ends of non-flowering stems.