Meconopsis × sheldonii — Rosette-forming with tall upright flower stems

Overview

Meconopsis × sheldonii 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 × sheldonii 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.

About

Meconopsis × sheldonii is a perennial in the poppy family (Papaveraceae) that forms a basal rosette and sends up tall, upright flower stems. The foliage is deciduous, hairy and toothed or lobed, often with a bronze tint. It flowers from May to July. Give it partial shade and shelter from hot sun for best performance.

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 × sheldonii sits in the poppy family, producing a clear basal rosette of hairy, toothed or lobed leaves and then tall, erect flower stems. Leaves are deciduous and can be bronze-tinted at times; flowering runs from May to July. The plant’s structure makes the rosette and stem height the principal features to plan around in the border. Place Meconopsis × sheldonii in partial shade on a north- or east-facing site where it will be sheltered from hot afternoon sun and exposed winds. It prefers a deep, humus-rich, leafy loam with an acid to neutral pH and will not tolerate lime. Keep the soil reliably moist and cool but ensure it remains freely draining to avoid root standing water. The horticultural rating H6–H7 corresponds to very hardy to fully hardy in most UK gardens. Use it in a shaded herbaceous border, beneath a light tree canopy or beside moisture-loving companions that relish cool, leafy soil. Incorporate plenty of leaf mould or well-rotted compost into the planting hole and apply a mulch to conserve moisture; this helps the basal rosettes establish and supports the upright stems through the May–July flowering period.

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 × sheldonii 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

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Meconopsis × sheldonii

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 × sheldonii?

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 × sheldonii?

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

What soil does Meconopsis × sheldonii need?

Meconopsis × sheldonii 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 × sheldonii?

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 × sheldonii hardy in the UK?

Meconopsis × sheldonii 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 × sheldonii?

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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