Papaver nudicaule
Icelandic poppy (syn. Oreomecon nudicaulis)
Often grown as an annual poppy with hairy, grey-green, pinnately lobed leaves. These flame-coloured, papery poppies would ignite any border or planting scheme with their delicate, bowl-shaped blooms in a fiery mixture of yellow, orange, pink and white.
How to care for Papaver nudicaule:
These poppies tend to resent root disturbance, so plant or sow them in situ. If you don't want them to self-seed, then remove the spent flowerheads after the petals fall. If however you'd like another batch of self-sown seedlings in subsequent years, leave the seedheads intact, and when the seed has ripened, give them a gentle shake to spread their contents. When watering, avoid the 'little and often' approach, but when the soil becomes dry, water thoroughly so it can really soak in.
Sowing instructions:
Sow shallowly, directly into a well prepared bed in spring, or (for an earlier display the following year) late summer to early autumn. Water well and as the seedlings appear, thin them out to 30cm intervals keeping just the healthiest and most robust ones to develop.
Flowering period:
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Eventual height:
0.45m
Eventual spread:
0.25m
Position:
Full sun
Rate of growth:
Fast-growing
Soil:
Moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil, or peat-free general purpose compost
Hardiness:
Fully hardy
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This perennial dies back to below ground level each year in autumn, then fresh new growth appears again in spring.
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Humans/Pets: Harmful if eaten
approx 300 seeds
Seed Packets (only)£2.95
Named Day Delivery£10.95
