Argemone albiflora var. albiflora 'Coker'

Argemone albiflora is a fascinating, deer-resistant, drought-tolerant North American native poppy, found in gravely, sandy, or disturbed areas from Virginia to Texas. In our rock garden, Argemone albiflora has been quite amazing. The 30" tall stalks of spiny blue green leaves are topped, starting in May, and continuing through September with large white poppy-like flowers, which are frequented by bees as a great pollen source, and by birds, which enjoy the oil-rich seed. Reportedly Argemone albiflora is an annual, but our plants didn't get the memo, performing fine as they are in their second year. If you want more plants, just leave the seedheads and voila. Although alkaline soils are best, ours have been quite happy in slightly acidic composted loam. Our plants have interesting botanical history, coming from the Caleb Coker House (grandfather of UNC botanist William Coker) in Darlington, SC, thanks to Coker descendant, Ernest Helms.