Overview
Meconopsis napaulensis 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 2.0 m tall and 0.6 m wide. Meconopsis napaulensis 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 Nepal.
About
Meconopsis napaulensis is a perennial poppy that forms a basal rosette and sends up tall, upright flowering stems to about 2.0 m. Leaves are deciduous, hairy and toothed or lobed, sometimes with a bronze tint on the rosette. It flowers from May to July and prefers partial shade on a sheltered north- or east-facing site with deep, humus-rich, acid to neutral soil that remains cool and reliably moist yet drains freely. The plant contains beta-carbolines and must not be ingested.
Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Meconopsis napaulensis
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 napaulensis is a rosette-forming perennial in the Papaveraceae, native to Nepal, producing tall upright stems that can reach about 2.0 m and flower between May and July. The basal leaves are hairy and toothed or lobed, sometimes showing a bronze tint, and the habit places the blooms well above neighbouring herbaceous plants. Give it partial shade with protection from hot afternoon sun on a north- or east-facing, sheltered aspect. It performs best in deep, humus-rich leafy loam that is acid to neutral and dislikes lime; the soil should stay cool and reliably moist while remaining freely draining. Hardiness is H6–H7 (very hardy to fully hardy), so plants will tolerate normal UK winters provided the site is not exposed and the root run stays cool. Use Meconopsis napaulensis at the back of a shaded herbaceous border or at a woodland edge where moisture and shelter are available; the 0.6 m spread means it occupies a narrow but tall slot in the planting. A practical safety note: the species contains beta-carbolines that act as a psychedelic drug, so avoid ingestion of foliage or flowers.
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 napaulensis 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
- 2.0 m
- Spread
- 0.6 m
- Native to
- Nepal
- Toxicity
- Contains beta-carbolines, which act as a psychedelic drug
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Meconopsis napaulensis
- 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 napaulensis?
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 napaulensis?
Meconopsis napaulensis prefers partial shade; needs shelter from hot sun. It suits sheltered positions.
What soil does Meconopsis napaulensis need?
Meconopsis napaulensis 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 napaulensis?
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 napaulensis grow?
Meconopsis napaulensis reaches a height of 2.0 m and a spread of 0.6 m.
Is Meconopsis napaulensis hardy in the UK?
Meconopsis napaulensis 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 napaulensis?
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.
Is Meconopsis napaulensis toxic?
Contains beta-carbolines, which act as a psychedelic drug.
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