Overview
Meconopsis × sheldonii Crewdson Hybrids 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 Crewdson Hybrids 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 Crewdson Hybrids is a perennial in the poppy family that forms a basal rosette and sends up tall, upright flower stems. The basal foliage is deciduous, hairy and toothed or lobed and can be bronze-tinted. It flowers May to July and favours partial shade with shelter from hot sun. Plant in deep, humus-rich, leafy loam that stays cool and reliably moist while draining freely.
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 Crewdson Hybrids is a rosette-forming perennial in the Papaveraceae with a clear basal habit and tall, upright flowering stems. The leaves are hairy, toothed or lobed and sometimes show a bronze tint; they are deciduous. Flowering occurs May to July in UK conditions. Give this Meconopsis partial shade on a north- or east-facing aspect and a sheltered position away from baking sun and strong drying winds. It prefers a deep, leafy loam rich in humus, with an acid to neutral reaction and no lime. The soil should remain cool and reliably moist but must be freely draining—waterlogged heavy clay is unsuitable. Hardiness is H6–H7, meaning plants will tolerate very cold winters through to fully hardy conditions in the UK. Use it where those microclimate and soil conditions can be delivered: shaded borders, woodland margins or sheltered mixed borders where organic matter and moisture are maintained. Because the leaves are deciduous and the plant forms a basal crown, protect the crown from drying and keep the root run cool with leaf mould or similar humus to retain the conditions this Meconopsis requires.
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 Crewdson Hybrids 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 Crewdson Hybrids
- 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 Crewdson Hybrids?
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 Crewdson Hybrids?
Meconopsis × sheldonii Crewdson Hybrids prefers partial shade; needs shelter from hot sun. It suits sheltered positions.
What soil does Meconopsis × sheldonii Crewdson Hybrids need?
Meconopsis × sheldonii Crewdson Hybrids 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 Crewdson Hybrids?
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 Crewdson Hybrids hardy in the UK?
Meconopsis × sheldonii Crewdson Hybrids 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 Crewdson Hybrids?
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 'Branklyn'
- Meconopsis × sheldonii 'Quarriston'
- Meconopsis × sheldonii 'Slieve Donard'
- Meconopsis × sheldonii 'Springhill'
- Meconopsis regiaroyal poppy