Papaver nudicaule, often known as the Icelandic poppy, is a lovely and delicate bloom that can give a touch of class and sophistication to any garden or floral arrangement. Icelandic poppies are actually not native to Iceland. Despite their name, these flowers are believed to have originated in the subarctic regions of North America, Europe, and Asia.
One of the most recognizable characteristics of Icelandic poppies is the range of brilliant and bright hues that Icelandic poppies exhibit, which can include tones of white, yellow, orange, pink, peach, salmon, and red. They’re adored by designers everywhere for their vivid colors and unique presence, floating in a hand-tied bouquet or centerpiece.
In addition to their stunning presence in floral designs and in the garden, Icelandic poppies have a long tradition of being used medicinally. They were utilized in antiquity to cure a range of conditions, such as respiratory problems, sleeplessness, and discomfort.
Traditional wholesalers typically only offer poppies in bunches of a mixed colors. It can be a bit of a gamble to hope that you get the white or peach or yellow ones that you need for an event design. At Philly Floral Guild, our growers focus on offering our designers single-color bunches so you’re confident you’ll get just what you need for your bouquets!
Designer tips for Icelandic poppies:
– Expert growers know to harvest poppies when they are still in bud, not wide open. The tissue-paper petals bruise very easily so it is better for them to remain protected in the fuzzy green sepals of the bud until it is “showtime”! When you get your poppies from PFG, you may need to “birth” them by very gently peeling away the green fuzzy outside to allow the petals to unfurl.
– Stems may ooze a sap when first cut. Cauterize the wound with a flame or by dipping the cut end of the stem in an inch of boiling water for 30 seconds.
– Icelandic poppies hold up well in hand-tied bouquets but should not be used in installations without a water source. They are not suitable for wearable flowers as they will quickly be damaged/smashed and wilted.
– Icelandic poppies can be used in foam but should not be inserted into a design until the day of the event. Use a skewer to poke a hold in the foam first before inserting the fragile stem. Or, better yet, don’t use foam.
Floral design created by Love ‘n Fresh Flowers.