Poppy - Italian 'Colibri Dolce Vita Mix'

20 seeds

KEY GROWING INFORMATION

DAYS TO GERMINATION:

7-12 days at 65-75°F (18-24°C)

SOWING:

Transplant - Sow into 128-cell or other small cell tray 6-8 weeks before transplanting. Cover seeds very lightly - I prefer vermiculite. Bottom water or mist to avoid displacing seeds and soil. Harden off and transplant outdoors, or transplant directly into a covered structure. Direct seed - Sow in early spring, fall, or winter. Iceland poppies grow best in cooler conditions – below 70°F. Bloom production and quality declines as temperatures rise. Surface-sow and keep soil evenly moist until seedlings emerge. Pinching plants is not necessary or beneficial.

LIGHT PREFERENCE:

Sun/Part Shade.

PLANT HEIGHT:

15-20".

PLANT SPACING:

6-12".

HARDINESS ZONES:

Zones 4-9. Blooms late spring until summer in northern climates and early spring until early summer in warmer climates when grown outdoors. Prefers cool summers and may self-sow. Iceland poppy is a perennial in its native land but has a biennial nature in our gardens. It blooms luxuriantly in spring from an August sowing into fertile, sharply drained soils outdoors. It is also often grown as an annual, sown indoors in pots in late January to flower the same year. In areas with high heat and humidity, they are a spring delight only.

VASE LIFE:

5-7 days.

HARVEST:

As the buds just begin to open and show a bit of color but before they fully expand. Place in clear water. Deadhead regularly for continuing bloom in cool summer areas.

SOIL REQUIREMENTS:

Moist, well-drained soil.

USES:

Cut flower. Beds, borders, mass plantings, and containers.

SCIENTIFIC NAME:

Papaver nudicaule

Additional Growing Notes