About
A short-lived, clump-forming perennial to 1.2m in height, forming a rosette of hairy, oblong leaves. Erect leafy stems bear a succession of clear blue poppies 8-10cm in width with contrasting yellow stamens and a short style.
About the genus
Meconopsis can be annuals, biennials, evergreen or herbaceous perennials, often monocarpic, with rosettes of hairy leaves and bowl-shaped flowers that may be solitary on a leafless stem, or in racemes or panicles on a leafy stem
Growing conditions
SunlightPartial shade
Soil typeClay, Loam
Soil pHAcid, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectWest-facing, East-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH5
Plant details
Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitClump forming
FoliageDeciduous
Height1-1.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden
Native toE Himalaya, Tibet, Myanmar
Care notes
CultivationOnly suitable for particular sites: the soil needs to be neutral to slightly acid, moist but well-drained and enriched with leaf mould or humus to prevent stagnation; in a partially shaded site with shelter from cold, dry winds. Thrives in areas with cool damp summers
PruningCut down to the base in late autumn
PropagationPropagate by seed or by division after flowering but can be short-lived
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to slugs and snails
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to downy mildews