Icelandic Poppy Seeds

Common Names
Icelandic Poppy, Arctic Poppy

Botanical Name
Papaver nudicaule

Plant Family
Papaveraceae (Poppy Family)

Life Cycle
Perennial

Native Range
Subpolar regions of Europe and North America.

Hardiness Zone
Zones 2-9

Habit
Icelandic Poppies grow to be about a foot tall in bloom. Papery blossoms appear through the summer in a range of shades of yellow, orange, red, white, cream and pink.

Sun/Soil
Full to part sun. Drought tolerant.

Germination/Sowing
The seeds can be scattered on the ground in the fall or early spring. They are best direct-seeded in place in the garden. If you grow them from starts make sure to transplant them in a timely and delicate way.

Growing/Care
Extremely hardy, Icelandic Poppies will grow as far north as the sub Arctic. They need little care, and if left to go to seed in your garden will naturalize.

Harvesting
The petals can be gathered as they open during the summer months. The seeds can be gathered once the seed heads have turned brown and the seeds are ripe, dark, and hard.

Culinary Uses
The leaves, flowers and seeds are all edible.

Medicinal Uses
The petals of Icelandic Poppy can be used as a mild pain reliever and sedative. Gentle and calming to the nervous system, Icelandic Poppy is helpful to treat over-activity and nervousness in children. Also useful for calming coughs.

Other Uses
The flowers are used to produce a range of red and brown dyes.

Themes
Attracts Pollinators, Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Apothecary Garden, Container Garden, Low Maintenance, Dye Plant.