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Annual BiennialSynonym

Papaver nudicaule
  • RHS Plants for pollinators

Icelandic poppy

A perennial usually grown as an annual, with hairy, grey-green, pinnately lobed leaves and solitary, bowl-shaped, fragrant yellow, orange, reddish or white flowers, in summer

Other common names
Arctic poppy
Iceland poppy
see moreyellow Arctic poppy
Synonyms
Meconopsis nudicaulis
Papaver nudicaule
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Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
1–2 years
Ultimate spread
0.1–0.5 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green Grey Silver
Summer Orange Red White Yellow Green Grey Silver
Autumn
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

South–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H7
Botanical details
Family
Papaveraceae
Native to GB / Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Columnar upright
Genus

A relatively new genus of perennial alpine poppy with long, hairy, leafless stems and solitary red, white, yellow or orange flowers

Name status

Correct

Plant range
N America, E Asia

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in a deep, fertile, well-drained soil in full sun. The photo shows Wonderland Series

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Cut flowers
  • Flower borders and beds
Pruning

Cut back after flowering

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids

Diseases

May be susceptible to downy mildews, powdery mildews, fungal wilts and verticillium wilt

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