My poppies are done blooming. Can I cut them back or do I need to leave the stems and seed heads intact.?

Oriental Poppies During Dormancy

After Oriental poppies have bloomed and moved into the dormant stage, a seedpod will appear. Allow it to ripen until it turns a papery brown. At this time you may harvest seeds, cut back the poppies, or leave them be to create decoration in your garden during the winter months. If you decide to leave them, the seedpods will attract winter birds to your yard to feast on the seeds.

Read more: http://www.doityourself.com/stry/divideperennials#...

If you want them to produce more Poppies next year, leave the plant alone OR you can take the dried seeds and scatter them in another location that you want them to grow next year. Another thing you may want to think about is if you have a neighbor or friend who would like to have some of the seeds. Sharing is always a good thing. Offer some of them to another avid gardener that you are acquainted with, and maybe they will trade you for something you don't have.

i assume that's the vast flowered oriental poppy you have. I decrease mine back to approximately 6" from the floor making use of hedge clippers and then i'm getting a 2d flush of flora in september. It keeps the backyard tidy and the poppies purely die back of course besides yet in july. I decrease leaves and all.