Papaver nudicaule

Papaver nudicaule — Iceland poppy

Papaver nudicaule is the botanical name for the Iceland poppy, whose crinkled, tissue-paper blooms in sherbet shades are among the most charming of all poppies. It is the species behind our poppy range within the flower seed collection.

History & origin

Despite its name, the Iceland poppy comes from the cold subpolar regions of the northern hemisphere, including Arctic Asia and North America. That hardy origin makes it tolerant of cool conditions and happiest where summers are not too hot.

The names are precise: Papaver is simply the classical Latin for poppy, while nudicaule means “naked-stemmed,” for the slender, leafless flower stalks that rise straight from the basal rosette.

Botanical characteristics

A short-lived perennial usually grown as a biennial or annual, Papaver nudicaule forms a tuft of ferny grey-green leaves from which leafless stems carry solitary, lightly fragrant, bowl-shaped flowers in white, yellow, orange, salmon and pink. The delicate, crinkled petals make superb cut flowers, and the nectar-rich blooms are a draw for bees among our pollinator-friendly flowers.

Growing Papaver nudicaule from seed

Sow the fine seed on the surface, as it needs light to germinate — direct where it is to flower, or in modules handled carefully, since poppies dislike root disturbance. Give it full sun and free-draining soil; sow in late summer or early spring for the best results. Our flower growing guide and flower sowing calendar cover the timing.

Ready to grow Iceland poppies? Browse the varieties or learn the basics first.

Related categories: Poppy · Cut Flowers · Pollinator Flowers · Annual Flowers · All Flower Seeds

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