Papaver Garden Gnome 2ltr

Papaver ‘Garden Gnome’ is a cheerful, compact Iceland poppy that brings months of colour from late spring through summer. Each plant forms a neat mound of soft, grey-green foliage, sending up slender stems topped with papery, bowl-shaped flowers in a bright mix of shades—often with a satiny sheen and a light fragrance.

It’s ideal for pots, patio containers and the front of sunny borders, and it looks especially effective planted in drifts or generous clumps for a “paintbox” effect. As a short-lived perennial (often grown like a biennial) it’s brilliant for quick impact, and with regular deadheading it can keep flowering for longer.

Planting Instructions

When to Plant:

Plant in spring or autumn while the soil is moist and workable. Container-grown plants can be planted most of the year, avoiding periods when the ground is frozen or waterlogged.

Where to Plant:
Choose a sunny position (or light/partial shade) with well-drained soil. Iceland poppies prefer a reasonably fertile soil that doesn’t stay wet in winter. Ideal for front of borders, cottage gardens, pots and containers, and cutting patches.

How to Plant:

• Depth: Plant so the top of the rootball is level with the soil surface.
• Spacing: Space 25–30 cm (10–12 inches) apart for a fuller display.
• Soil Prep: Improve heavy soils with horticultural grit for drainage. On very poor soils, mix in a little garden compost, but avoid waterlogging.

Watering:
Water well after planting. Keep the soil evenly moist while the plant establishes. Once settled, water during prolonged dry spells for the best flowering.

Aftercare Tips:

• Deadhead spent blooms regularly to encourage more flowers.
• In very hot spells, water in the morning to keep plants performing well.
• After flowering finishes, tidy up the plant and allow it to rest — it is often short-lived but may return or gently self-seed in favourable conditions.

Top Tip:
For maximum impact, plant Papaver ‘Garden Gnome’ in groups or fill a pot with several plants. The papery blooms also make a lovely, delicate cut flower for small vases.

Plant Details

Flowering Period: 

Late spring to late summer (often June–August)

Height: 

approx. 30cm

Spread: 

approx. 30cm

Type: 

Short-lived perennial / often grown as a biennial