Spring Fever Red® Iceland Poppy

Light Needs

Part Sun to Full Sun

(5+ Hours Direct Sun)

Mature Height

6-18 Inches

Mature Spread

6-11 Inches

Growing Zones

3 to 8

Nothing takes care of spring fever like a big blooming poppy and Spring Fever Red Iceland Poppy bursts forth in spring and early summer with fiery red flowers. Officially named Papaver nudicaule ‘Spring Fever Red’, the 2- to 3-inch paper-like flower belies the forbearance of the stalks and striking blooms. Cut and bring some in to brighten up your home with a feverish red flower arrangement.

To add even more interest, Iceland poppy leaves have a hairy look and feel, a nice contrast to the smooth, light petals of the blooms. The stalks of this poppy will rise 10 to 12 inches above the foliage and the plant will spread to nearly 8 inches. It is perennial in zones 3 through 8, and should come back each spring for a few years. Plant these stunners in a mass planting as a field of poppies or with other wildflowers. They also are excellent container plants. 

Spring Fever Red Iceland Poppy Care

Plant Spring Fever poppies in a sunny or partly shady spot after all danger of frost has passed. They perform best before temperatures soar, so give them a little afternoon shade in the warmest ends of their hardiness zone. In cooler and more temperate zones, they will flourish and flower until fall. They do best in sandy to fertile soil with some compost added. 

Your Iceland poppy does not need frequent watering and only needs irrigation when the weather is dry. There is no need to water the plant while it rests in winter. Add fertilizer once or twice during the growing season if the soil is not very rich. Otherwise, poppies need no fertilizing. Remove flower stems before they turn to seed pods to promote more flowering. 

Spring Fever Red Iceland Poppy Spacing

For a poppy field reminiscent of a favored children’s story, plant a bunch of Spring Fever Reds together on a gentle slope or in a large garden bed. Space the plants about 6 to 8 inches apart.

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