About
A short-lived, clump-forming perennial to around 1.2m in height, forming a rosette of oblong, hairy green leaves. Leafy, upright stems bear a succession of white flowers with contrasting yellow stamens, often half-nodding and 8-10cm across, in early summer.
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
AspectEast-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH5
Plant details
Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitClump forming
FoliageDeciduous
Height1-1.5 metres
Spread0.5-1 metres
Time to full height1-2 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden
Native toChina
Care notes
CultivationGrow in dappled shade in humus rich, slightly acidic soil with good drainage and protection from drying winds. Thrives in areas with cool damp summers; best planted in soil that does not dry out in summer or get waterlogged in winter
PruningCut back spent flower stems unless seeds are required
PropagationPropagate by seed, sown fresh and thinly in containers in a cold frame; light is needed for germination. May also be propagated by division immediately after flowering, though plants can be short-lived
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to slugs, snails and aphids
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to downy mildews