Meconopsis cambrica (Welsh poppy) — Rosette-forming with tall upright flower stems

Overview

Meconopsis cambrica is a rosette-forming with tall upright flower stems perennial in the genus Meconopsis, part of the Papaveraceae family, with deciduous; hairy, toothed or lobed basal rosettes, sometimes bronze-tinted foliage. Meconopsis cambrica grows best in partial shade; needs shelter from hot sun, and tolerates most soils and acid to neutral; dislikes lime pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H6-H7. Suggested uses include shade garden, woodland garden and naturalizing. It is native to Western Europe and including Wales and western England.

About

Meconopsis cambrica is a perennial poppy that forms basal rosettes and sends up tall, upright flower stems. Leaves are hairy, toothed or lobed and can be bronze-tinted before they die back. It favours sheltered, north- or east-facing sites in deep, humus-rich soil that stays cool and moist but drains freely. Flowers appear from May to July.

Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Papaver cambricum

About the genus

Meconopsis is a genus of flowering plants in the poppy family Papaveraceae. It was created by French botanist Viguier in 1814 for the species known by the common name Welsh poppy, which Carl Linnaeus had described as Papaver cambricum. The genus name means "poppy-like".

Wikipedia contributors, "Meconopsis", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Meconopsis

In the garden

A member of the poppy family, Meconopsis cambrica forms a low basal rosette and produces upright flowering stems; it is native to western Europe, including Wales and western England. The foliage is hairy and toothed or lobed, sometimes taking a bronze tinge before the leaves are shed seasonally. Plant in partial shade on a north or east aspect where it will be sheltered from hot sun. Give a deep, leafy, humus-rich loam that is acid to neutral in reaction — it dislikes lime — and keep the root run reliably cool and moist while ensuring free drainage. In UK terms the species is very hardy to fully hardy (H6–H7), so it will tolerate winter outdoors in most areas when sited out of drying wind. Meconopsis cambrica suits shade and woodland gardens and is often used for naturalising in sheltered, damp corners or beneath light tree cover. Position it beside other shade perennials with similar moisture needs and avoid hot sunny borders. Basal rosettes reappear each year and produce the upright flower stems that bloom between May and July.

Growing conditions

Best soil and position for Meconopsis

Sunlight: Partial shade; needs shelter from hot sun
Soil type: Deep, humus-rich, leafy loam
Soil pH: Acid to neutral; dislikes lime
Soil moisture: Reliably moist and cool, yet freely draining
Aspect: North or east facing
Exposure: Sheltered
UK hardiness: H6-H7

Plant details

Meconopsis cambrica size, habit and characteristics

Plant type: Perennial
Habit: Rosette-forming with tall upright flower stems
Foliage: Deciduous; hairy, toothed or lobed basal rosettes, sometimes bronze-tinted
Suggested uses: Shade garden, woodland garden, naturalizing
Native to: Western Europe, including Wales and western England

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Meconopsis cambrica

Cultivation: These are plants for cool, damp, sheltered gardens with acid soil, and they are genuinely difficult where summers are hot and dry. Provide deep leafy soil, constant moisture at the root, shade from midday sun and shelter from drying wind. Mulch each spring with leaf mould and never let them bake. Check whether a given species is monocarpic before relying on it as a permanent feature, and remove flower buds in the first year to help young plants establish.
Pruning: Deadhead perennial kinds promptly to conserve energy and discourage them from behaving as annuals. Leave a few heads on monocarpic species if seed is wanted, then clear the dead plant.
Propagation: Divide perennial species immediately after flowering. Sow seed fresh in autumn or late winter in a cold frame, as viability falls quickly - this is the only route for the monocarpic species.
Pest resistance: Slugs and snails are a serious threat to the emerging rosettes; aphids infest flower stems.
Disease resistance: Downy mildew and botrytis affect plants in stagnant air, and root rot follows waterlogging over winter.

Frequently asked questions

How do I grow Meconopsis cambrica?

These are plants for cool, damp, sheltered gardens with acid soil, and they are genuinely difficult where summers are hot and dry. Provide deep leafy soil, constant moisture at the root, shade from midday sun and shelter from drying wind. Mulch each spring with leaf mould and never let them bake. Check whether a given species is monocarpic before relying on it as a permanent feature, and remove flower buds in the first year to help young plants establish.

Where is the best place to plant Meconopsis cambrica?

Meconopsis cambrica prefers partial shade; needs shelter from hot sun. It suits sheltered positions.

What soil does Meconopsis cambrica need?

Meconopsis cambrica is adaptable and grows happily in most soil types, including deep, humus-rich and leafy loam. It prefers acid to neutral; dislikes lime soil. Aim for soil that stays reliably moist and cool to yet freely draining.

How do I prune Meconopsis cambrica?

Deadhead perennial kinds promptly to conserve energy and discourage them from behaving as annuals. Leave a few heads on monocarpic species if seed is wanted, then clear the dead plant.

Is Meconopsis cambrica hardy in the UK?

Meconopsis cambrica has an RHS hardiness rating of H6, meaning it is very hardy, tolerating -20 to -15°C across most of the UK.

How do I propagate Meconopsis cambrica?

Divide perennial species immediately after flowering. Sow seed fresh in autumn or late winter in a cold frame, as viability falls quickly - this is the only route for the monocarpic species.

More in the Meconopsis genus

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