Icelandic Poppy – Champagne bubbles pink (Papaver nudicaule) flower seeds F1 Hybrid

Papaver nudicaule, commonly known as the Iceland Poppy, is a delicate flowering plant belonging to the Papaveraceae family. It is native to the northern regions, including the Arctic and subarctic areas of North America, Europe, and Asia. In other words, Icelandic poppies are very hardy plants that can withstand frost! This variety is selected for her large flowers and relatively long stems. The flowers are pink (no yellow or orange!). Icelandic poppies flower early if you sow the seeds in late summer or early autumn.
Consider growing a few plants in your polytunnel or greenhouse to experience the delicate charm of these flowers even earlier. Papaver nudicaule thrives under glass, benefiting from the extra warmth in spring, which promotes early flowering. You do not have to cover the plants with frost protection.

Late winter sowing flower by early summer, often with slightly shorter stems but equally beautiful. Continue to pick fresh stems or deadhead flowers and you will be rewarded with flowers for weeks or even months! Try not to let flowerheads go to seed.

Plant information you need to know about Icelandic poppy

Plant type: hardy annual or biannual
Height: 40-50 centimeters
Position: full sun or partial shade
Start: in late winter or end of summer to early autumn
Number of days until plants bloom: 90-200 days
Germination: 1-3 weeks
Distance between the plants: 20 to 30 centimeters
Pinching: not necessary
Pollinator-friendly: yes, the early flowering and open flowers are loved by bees
Not recommended for beginner gardeners
Number of seeds per pack: +-50

How do you grow Icelandic poppies or papaver nudicaule from seed?

Germination tips

First of all, the seeds are super tiny. The smaller the seeds, the less you should cover them with soil. Start your seeds in late summer to early autumn (late August or September) in seed trays with 4 to 5 cm cells. Alternatively, you can start seeds in February and early March. Just like other members of the papaver family, they don’t like to be root-bound or disturbed too much. Once sown, only cover the seeds with a sprinkle of vermiculite or fine sand. Water the tray only from below. Germination can be slow and erratic, taking up to 3 weeks. If germination is not successful, you can try increasing the temperature. Aim for room temperature. Germination is most successful in autumn in a greenhouse, where warm daytime temperatures and cool nights provide the optimal conditions.

Care tips

Once the seeds have germinated, it’s important to give them plenty of light, especially if you sow seeds indoors in February. Plant them out after approximately 4 to 6 weeks but no later than 8 weeks. Once planted, seedlings will grow rapidly. They do not demand much care once they have grown to a decent size. We had very good results growing the poppies on no-dig beds with only 1 to 2 cm of compost. We did not use any additional fertilizer. If you grow plants in pots or your soil is poor in organic matter, you might want to give your plants an extra boost of nutrients. Try, for example, organic fermented plant food. Add it once or twice just before and after plants start to flower. You will notice tremendous results!

Common pests and diseases

Keep an eye out for your least favorite garden friends: the slugs! They love to feast on early spring greens. Other than slugs, Icelandic poppies are relatively pest and disease-free. The plants are very hardy and can even survive being almost eaten to the ground. Don’t let their tiny seeds and delicate flowers fool you; this plant is very tough.

Tips for picking fresh flowers

Did you know that Icelandic poppies are the longest-lasting cut flower poppies? They are a rare find and definitely worth growing yourself! Pick the flowers when you see a slight hint of color through the cracking green head. You can sear stems in hot water or burn the tips with a torch for a few seconds. Alternatively, prolong their vase life by adding a few grams of table sugar to their water.

Saving seeds

Since this type of poppy is the result of careful selection to perfection, it is not likely that the seeds of this flower will be as good as the parent plant. These special poppies have been carefully chosen for their exceptional beauty. While their seeds may cost a little more, they are the result of hand-pollination, guaranteeing you a high-quality flower with unique features. Nurture these precious seeds, and you’ll be rewarded with stunning blooms unlike any other.