Papaver nudicaule
Iceland poppy is a short‑lived perennial most often grown as a cool‑season annual or biennial. It excels in regions with cool summers and bright sun. Plants form low clumps with slender leafless stems carrying large crinkled blooms. Colors range from white and cream to yellow, orange, salmon, and pink. It dislikes heat and humidity but flowers freely in spring and early summer where nights stay cool. Blooms and stems are useful for cutting when harvested at the soft cracking‑bud stage.
At‑a‑glance
- Group/Class: Short‑lived perennial, often grown as annual or biennial
- Height × spread: 12-24 in × 9-12 in (30-60 cm × 23-30 cm)
- Bloom window: Spring to early summer
- Color & flower form: Large crinkled single blooms in white, yellow, orange, salmon, and pink
- Fragrance: 1 trace
- USDA hardiness: zones 2 to 7
- Breeder / Year / Origin: unknown; native to sub‑Arctic and mountainous regions of Eurasia
- Cut‑flower notes: Harvest at cracking bud; sear stems; typical vase life 5 to 7 days
- Pet safety: avoid
How it differs
- Best cut‑flower performance among poppies when harvested in bud
- Prefers cool summers more than many garden poppies
- Compact habit fits front of border and containers
- Fragrant blooms in some strains
Strengths
- Longer vase life than most poppies when handled properly
- Cold‑tolerant; suitable for fall or very early spring sowing
- Bright color range from seed
- Deer tolerant reports are common
Care in one minute
- Site: full sun in cool climates; light afternoon shade where summers run warm
- Soil: well‑drained, moderately fertile; avoid soggy sites
- Water: steady moisture in spring; reduce in summer dormancy
- Feeding: light spring feeding; avoid excess nitrogen
- Harvest: for cuts, pick at soft‑crack bud and sear stems 7 to 10 seconds
Watch‑outs
- Declines in heat and humidity
- Short‑lived outside cool climates
- Stem exudate can foul water if not seared
Best uses (tags)
cutting, containers, borders, cool‑season color
Provenance note
Species native to northern Eurasia; widely selected into garden mixes such as ‘Champagne Bubbles’ and ‘Temptress’.
References
- Missouri Botanical Garden – Plant Finder: Papaver nudicaule var. croceum (zones, culture, fragrance)
- American Floral Endowment / NC State – Optimizing Postharvest Life of Cut Iceland Poppy
- North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox – Papaver (genus overview and alkaloids)
Written by: Your Flowers Guide editorial team
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