Meconopsis quintuplinervia (harebell poppy) — Rosette-forming with tall upright flower stems

Overview

Meconopsis quintuplinervia 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 quintuplinervia 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 W China.

About

Meconopsis quintuplinervia is a perennial poppy that forms a hairy, toothed or lobed basal rosette and sends up tall, upright flower stems. It flowers May to July. The foliage is deciduous and the basal leaves can show bronze tones. Give it partial shade on deep, humus-rich, leafy loam that stays cool and reliably moist.

Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Meconopsis quintuplinervia

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 quintuplinervia is a perennial member of the poppy family from western China, producing a conspicuous basal rosette and erect flowering stems. Its flowering season in the UK runs from May to July, when the stems carry the display above the foliage. Plant this harebell poppy where it will receive partial shade and protection from hot sun: north- or east-facing, sheltered sites suit it best. It prefers deep, humus-rich leafy loam that remains cool and reliably moist but is freely draining; avoid chalky or lime-rich ground. In hardiness terms it sits at H6–H7, meaning very hardy to fully hardy for UK conditions. Use it in shaded or semi-shaded borders and woodland margins where soil keeps a cool, steady moisture. A layer of leaf mould or well-rotted compost will help maintain the humus-rich conditions it likes, while planting in a sheltered hollow or beside a wall reduces exposure to drying winds and hot afternoon sun. The hairy, toothed basal rosette—occasionally showing bronze tones—remains the most reliable identifying feature outside the May–July flowering window.

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 quintuplinervia 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
Native to: W China

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Meconopsis quintuplinervia

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 quintuplinervia?

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 quintuplinervia?

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

What soil does Meconopsis quintuplinervia need?

Meconopsis quintuplinervia 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 quintuplinervia?

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 quintuplinervia hardy in the UK?

Meconopsis quintuplinervia 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 quintuplinervia?

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

Browse all Meconopsis →