Overview
Meconopsis villosa 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 villosa 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. Suggested uses include ornamental garden plant. It is native to Nepal.
About
Meconopsis villosa is a perennial rosette-forming poppy that produces tall, upright flowering stems. The basal foliage is deciduous, hairy and toothed or lobed, sometimes showing a bronze tint. It prefers partial shade on sheltered, north- or east-facing sites and flowers from May to July. Plant into deep, humus-rich leafy loam that stays cool and reliably moist while draining freely.
Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Meconopsis villosa
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 villosa is a perennial member of the poppy family (Papaveraceae) native to Nepal. It grows from a basal rosette of hairy, toothed or lobed leaves and produces tall, upright flower stems that stand above the foliage. The rosette may show a bronze tint at times, giving the plant a distinct leaf texture in spring and early summer. Give the plant partial shade and protection from hot sun; a north- or east-facing, sheltered position suits it best. It wants deep, humus-rich, leafy loam with an acid to neutral pH and will not tolerate lime in the soil. The roots prefer to remain cool and reliably moist, so choose a site that drains freely but does not dry out between rains. In UK terms Meconopsis villosa is rated H6–H7, indicating very hardy to fully hardy conditions; a sheltered situation minimises stress from direct heat and drying exposure. Use it as an ornamental in shaded borders, woodland-style beds or under the light canopy of larger shrubs where the soil meets its needs. Flowers appear from May to July on the tall stems above the basal rosette.
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 villosa 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
- Suggested uses
- Ornamental garden plant
- Native to
- Nepal
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Meconopsis villosa
- 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 villosa?
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 villosa?
Meconopsis villosa prefers partial shade; needs shelter from hot sun. It suits sheltered positions.
What soil does Meconopsis villosa need?
Meconopsis villosa 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 villosa?
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 villosa hardy in the UK?
Meconopsis villosa 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 villosa?
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