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Oriental poppies are among the most flamboyant of the early summer flowers, with enormous, often frilly double flowers around 15cm (6in) across in loud colours many are vermilion red, and most have black bases to the petals. Although they are hugely spectacular, the foliage becomes untidy after flowering unless cut back a few weeks later. This does not harm the plants, but it does leave a large gap in the border unless vigorous, but late, neighbouring plants can spread to occupy the space.