Papaver nudicaule – Icelandic poppy ‘Pastel mix’

Papaver nudicaule – ‘Pastel mix’ Icelandic poppy

One of our favourite cut flowers at G&G, crepe paper like petals in a mix of ice cream soft shades of vanilla, peach and apricot. This mix originates from all the gorgeous pastel varieties developed by Erin at Floret. I have continued selecting the softer shades for the past four years but as these are open pollinated there is the odd surprising pop of citrus yellow and orange. A good early pollen source for pollinators.

Plant type: biennial

Site: full sun

Height: 45cm

Plant spacing: 25cm

Sown to grown: 12 weeks

Min. seeds per packet: 250 seeds

Growing tips: we make two showings in modular trays one in June which is planted out in September as a biennial and another in February which is treated as an annual. They do not like getting hot so the earlier they begin to flower the better.

Harvesting/Arranging tips: a surprisingly long vase life for a poppy – just pick when they are about to burst open from their calyx and sear the ends with boiling water for 20 seconds.

Vase life: 7 days

Cost: £4.50