Overview
Meconopsis × sheldonii 'Branklyn' 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 'Branklyn' 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
A perennial in the poppy family, Meconopsis × sheldonii 'Branklyn' forms a basal rosette and produces tall, upright flower stems. The leaves are deciduous, hairy and toothed or lobed, with rosettes that can take on a bronze tint. It flowers in the UK from May to July. Give it partial shade on a north- or east-facing, sheltered site in humus-rich, leafy soil.
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
A perennial member of the Papaveraceae, Meconopsis × sheldonii 'Branklyn' grows from a hairy, toothed or lobed basal rosette and sends up tall, upright flower stems. The rosette is deciduous and can show bronze tones on the leaves; flowering takes place in the UK between May and July. Locate the plant in partial shade where it has shelter from hot sun, ideally on a north or east-facing aspect. It prefers a deep, humus-rich, leafy loam that is acid to neutral and dislikes lime. The soil should remain reliably moist and cool but must be freely draining to avoid waterlogging around the roots. Hardiness is rated H6–H7 (very hardy to fully hardy), so it will tolerate normal UK winters when given a sheltered position. In practice that means planting where larger perennials or light shrub cover give morning light and protection from drying winds. A mulch of leaf litter or well-rotted organic matter helps maintain the cool, moist conditions the rosette appreciates. Expect the hairy basal leaves, sometimes bronze-tinted, to provide season-long structure even when flower stems are not present.
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 'Branklyn' 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 'Branklyn'
- 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 'Branklyn'?
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 'Branklyn'?
Meconopsis × sheldonii 'Branklyn' prefers partial shade; needs shelter from hot sun. It suits sheltered positions.
What soil does Meconopsis × sheldonii 'Branklyn' need?
Meconopsis × sheldonii 'Branklyn' 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 'Branklyn'?
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 'Branklyn' hardy in the UK?
Meconopsis × sheldonii 'Branklyn' 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 'Branklyn'?
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 'Archie Campbell'
- Meconopsis × sheldonii 'Quarriston'
- Meconopsis × sheldonii 'Slieve Donard'
- Meconopsis × sheldonii 'Springhill'
- Meconopsis regiaroyal poppy
- Meconopsis superba