Meconopsis grandis 'Miss Dickson' (Himalayan blue poppy) — Rosette-forming with tall upright flower stems

Overview

Meconopsis grandis 'Miss Dickson' 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 'Miss Dickson' 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 rock gardens, shaded borders and woodland gardens. It is native to China (Yunnan), Bhutan, northeast India and Nepal.

About

Meconopsis grandis 'Miss Dickson' (Himalayan blue poppy) is a rosette-forming perennial producing tall, upright flower stems that reach about 1.0 m. It carries pure blue blooms from May to July above a deciduous, hairy basal rosette of toothed or lobed leaves that can be bronze-tinted. Plant in a sheltered, north- or east-facing spot with cool, reliably moist, freely draining, humus-rich soil. It prefers acid to neutral conditions and will not tolerate lime or hot sun.

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 'Miss Dickson' originates from highland areas of China (Yunnan), Bhutan, northeast India and Nepal and is valued for its large blue flowers borne above a basal rosette. The plant makes a stout perennial clump around 1.0 m tall, with hairy, toothed or lobed leaves that die back; some plants show a bronze tint to the foliage. Grow it where it receives partial shade and is protected from strong afternoon sun; north- or east-facing sites with shelter are ideal. The soil should be a deep, leafy loam rich in humus, kept reliably moist and cool yet allowed to drain freely. Avoid alkaline or lime-rich ground. In UK terms it sits in the H6–H7 range (very hardy to fully hardy), so it will survive most winters when sited correctly. Use Meconopsis grandis 'Miss Dickson' in shaded borders, woodland gardens or sheltered rock garden pockets where its height and blue flowering can be viewed against darker foliage. Expect the tall stems to carry their blue blooms from May to July above the basal rosette.

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 'Miss Dickson' 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
Suggested uses: Rock gardens, shaded borders, woodland gardens
Native to: China (Yunnan), Bhutan, northeast India, Nepal

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Meconopsis grandis 'Miss Dickson'

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 'Miss Dickson'?

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 'Miss Dickson'?

Meconopsis grandis 'Miss Dickson' prefers partial shade; needs shelter from hot sun. It suits sheltered positions.

What soil does Meconopsis grandis 'Miss Dickson' need?

Meconopsis grandis 'Miss Dickson' 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 'Miss Dickson'?

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 'Miss Dickson' grow?

Meconopsis grandis 'Miss Dickson' reaches a height of 1.0 m.

Is Meconopsis grandis 'Miss Dickson' hardy in the UK?

Meconopsis grandis 'Miss Dickson' 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 'Miss Dickson'?

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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