This perennial dies back to below ground level each year in autumn, then fresh new growth appears again in spring.

• Position: full sun
• Soil: moist, well-drained
• Rate of growth: fast-growing
• Flowering period: May to July
• Hardiness: fully hardy
  
  A really exuberant oriental poppy, with sumptuous, large pillar-box red flowers in early summer and downy, mid green leaves. The silky tissue-paper petals of this tall, strong-stemmed poppy are splashed with black and each flower has a dark, velvety centre. Although the flowers of all oriental poppies are ephemeral, they are easy to grow, bring a zing to any planting scheme and each plant will produce several flowers. If cut back after flowering, they may even produce a second flush. Plant 'Beauty of Livermere' in a sunny border, alongside grasses or late summer-flowering perennials, which will provide interest when the plant has died back.
  
  
• Garden care: When planting 'Beauty of Livermere' add plenty of well-rotted manure or garden compost to the soil prior to planting. Apply mulch to protect the roots from cold temperatures. Cut back to ground level after flowering. Lift and divide large clumps in autumn.