Overview
Meconopsis grandis 'Keillour Purple' 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. It typically grows around 1.0 m tall. Meconopsis grandis 'Keillour Purple' 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. It is native to China (Yunnan), Bhutan, northeast India and Nepal.
About
Meconopsis grandis 'Keillour Purple' is a rosette-forming perennial in the poppy family that sends up tall, upright flower stems to about 1.0 m. It carries deciduous, hairy basal leaves that are toothed or lobed and can show a bronze tint. Plants prefer partial shade on north- or east-facing, sheltered sites and need deep, humus-rich, acid to neutral soil. Flowers appear from May to July.
Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Meconopsis grandis
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
Meconopsis grandis 'Keillour Purple' originates from montane areas of China (Yunnan), Bhutan, northeast India and Nepal and belongs to the Papaveraceae. It grows as a basal rosette of hairy, toothed or lobed leaves, producing upright flowering stems that reach about 1.0 m. In Britain its season runs May to July. Plant where it receives partial shade and protection from hot afternoon sun — north- or east-facing positions in a sheltered border replicate its cool natural aspect. It performs best in deep, humus-rich, leafy loam that is acid to neutral and kept reliably moist yet freely draining; avoid lime. Hardiness is H6–H7, meaning plants tolerate very cold winters when established but benefit from a sheltered microclimate. Work it into a moist, cool border with other shade-tolerant perennials; it suits fern beds, damp woodland edges and shaded herbaceous fronts where crowns are protected from drying winds. Mulch with leaf-mould or well-rotted compost to maintain cool, humus-rich conditions and to help the rosette preserve soil moisture. Expect flowering on tall stems from May to July and position plants so the basal crown remains shaded and cool.
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 grandis 'Keillour Purple' 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
- Height
- 1.0 m
- Native to
- China (Yunnan), Bhutan, northeast India, Nepal
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Meconopsis grandis 'Keillour Purple'
- 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 grandis 'Keillour Purple'?
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 grandis 'Keillour Purple'?
Meconopsis grandis 'Keillour Purple' prefers partial shade; needs shelter from hot sun. It suits sheltered positions.
What soil does Meconopsis grandis 'Keillour Purple' need?
Meconopsis grandis 'Keillour Purple' 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 grandis 'Keillour Purple'?
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.
How big does Meconopsis grandis 'Keillour Purple' grow?
Meconopsis grandis 'Keillour Purple' reaches a height of 1.0 m.
Is Meconopsis grandis 'Keillour Purple' hardy in the UK?
Meconopsis grandis 'Keillour Purple' 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 grandis 'Keillour Purple'?
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
- Meconopsis chelidoniifolia
- Meconopsis × sheldonii
- Meconopsis × sheldonii 'Archie Campbell'
- Meconopsis × sheldonii 'Branklyn'
- Meconopsis × sheldonii 'Quarriston'
- Meconopsis × sheldonii 'Slieve Donard'
- Meconopsis × sheldonii 'Springhill'
- Meconopsis regiaroyal poppy