Papaver nudicaule Garden Gnome (Iceland Poppy)

Very popular, award-winning Papaver nudicaule 'Garden Gnome' (Iceland Poppy) is a compact biennial or short-lived perennial boasting attractive, fragrant, bowl-shaped flowers, 2 in. across (5 cm), from late spring to late summer. Borne atop sturdy, upright, hairy stems, the profuse blooms, in shades of orange, scarlet, yellow, and white, rise above a small, basal rosette of mossy green, pinnately lobed leaves. Hardy and fast-growing, the sparkling blossoms are extremely attractive to honey bees and bumblebees. They are simply stunning en masse or drifting through cottage or wild gardens. Iceland poppies are amongst the best poppies for cutting, as they last for several days in the vase.

• Recipient of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society.
• Grows up to 12 in. tall and wide (30 cm).
• Prefers full sun to very light shade in organically rich, moderately fertile, evenly moist, well-drained soils. Iceland Poppy thrives in climates with cool summer temperatures, but struggles in hot and humid conditions.
• Pretty addition to beds and borders, city gardens, cottage gardens, or containers. Excellent cut flower for fresh arrangements.
• Easy to grow and virtually carefree.
• No serious pest or disease issues. Keep an eye out for aphids and downy mildew.
• Removing faded flowers will encourage more buds to form.
• Cut back after flowering.
• Propagate by seed sown in spring.
• Papaver nudicaule is native to subpolar regions of Asia and North America, and the mountains of Central Asia as well as temperate China (but not in Iceland).
• All parts of this plant contain toxic alkaloids. They are likely to be poisonous to mammals, though the toxicity would be low.