When we think poppy, most of us think of the crepe-papery Iceland poppy, but there are other lovely species to grow and pick!
Iceland Poppy
Papaver nudicaule
Familiar from florist’s buckets, these are recognised by their hairy stems and flowers in tangerine, lemon, pink or white with four crinkled-silk petals.
This is an easy-care annual. Buy punnets in autumn and plant densely – at least 20 to a square metre. Pinch out the first few flower stems to allow the
pant to reach 20cm across before flowering. Liquid feed monthly. Flowering will peak in September.
We are growing the improved strain called ‘Matilda’ (pictured). It’s a superior strain of Iceland poppy with extra large flowers, some double, on strong
50-60cm tall stems. It gives a mix of colours; white, pink, coral, red, yellow and all the shades between. Some have a picoted edge and some are bi-coloured.
Peony Poppy
Papaver paeoniflorum
It looks, as its name suggests, like a peony, with large fluffy flower heads, packed with petals; some are single. They come in mauve, pink, white and
coral. We are growing Papaver paeoniflorum ‘Soft Lavender’ (Lambley) fully double mauve colour (pictured).
Peony poppies are best sown direct into the garden, in autumn. Choose a sunny spot, prepare the soil, make sure it is well-drained and fertilised. Add
lime if your soil is acid. Remember Anzac Day to sow your poppies. After flowering don’t rush to cut the decorative seed heads, they will eventually
open and release their seeds, ready for another year.
Where to Buy
Lambley Nursery
lambley.com.au/plant/poppies
To find out more about poppies read the article: Know Your Poppies.