Overview
Meconopsis × sheldonii 'Archie Campbell' 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 'Archie Campbell' 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 'Archie Campbell' is a perennial in the poppy family that forms a basal rosette and sends up tall, upright flower stems. Leaves are deciduous, hairy and toothed or lobed, sometimes taking a bronze tint. It flowers from May to July. It prefers a sheltered, north- or east-facing site in partial shade and away from hot sun.
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 'Archie Campbell' is a rosette-forming perennial in the Papaveraceae, producing a cluster of basal leaves and then tall flowering stems each season. The foliage is deciduous and hairy, often toothed or lobed and occasionally bronze-tinted; flowering runs from May to July. Plant it where the root run remains cool and the crown has protection from strong sun and drying winds: a north- or east-facing, sheltered position is ideal. Soil should be deep, humus-rich leafy loam, reliably moist and cool but freely draining; avoid alkaline or lime-rich ground and aim for acid to neutral conditions. Light is important — partial shade with shelter from hot afternoon sun helps the rosette keep its leaves through the season. Hardiness is H6–H7, meaning the cultivar tolerates very cold winters and is suitable for most outdoors sites in the UK that meet its shelter and soil needs. Use generous leaf mould or well-rotted compost worked into the planting hole and a mulch around the rosette to maintain cool, even moisture; remove spent flower stems after the May–July flowering period and keep the crown shaded during hot spells.
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 'Archie Campbell' 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 'Archie Campbell'
- 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 'Archie Campbell'?
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 'Archie Campbell'?
Meconopsis × sheldonii 'Archie Campbell' prefers partial shade; needs shelter from hot sun. It suits sheltered positions.
What soil does Meconopsis × sheldonii 'Archie Campbell' need?
Meconopsis × sheldonii 'Archie Campbell' 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 'Archie Campbell'?
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 'Archie Campbell' hardy in the UK?
Meconopsis × sheldonii 'Archie Campbell' 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 'Archie Campbell'?
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 'Branklyn'
- Meconopsis × sheldonii 'Quarriston'
- Meconopsis × sheldonii 'Slieve Donard'
- Meconopsis × sheldonii 'Springhill'
- Meconopsis regiaroyal poppy
- Meconopsis superba