Q Is it easy to grow Icelandic poppies from seed in the UK?

Daphne Dittrich, Dorset

A MATT SAYS Although they’re called Icelandic poppies, this group of interbred species comes from cold areas of Asia, the western Himalayas and Afghanistan. You can grow them either as annuals by surface sowing fresh seeds in spring or as biennials by sowing in late summer to early autumn, to flower the following year.

To minimise root disturbance, sow in modules – or in pots then prick out seedlings when very young. You can also sow direct into the soil where they are to flower in April.