The Meconopsis genus contains short-lived hardy perennials that reach a height of 1 to 5 feet (30 cm to 1.5 m). They carry poppy-like flowers that can bloom in spring, summer, or at the start of autumn (species dependent). Many Meconopsis species are known for their blue poppy-like flowers, but they can also carry many other colors, including white, orange, pink, and yellow. Some common names for Meconopsis include Welsh Poppy, Asiatic Poppy, Blue Poppy, and Harebell Poppy.
The Blue Poppy is the national flower of Bhutan. However, Welsh poppies can be invasive.
Growing Conditions and General Care
Full sunlight (cool areas only); full or partial shade. Acidic soil. Add grit to heavy soils. Nutrient-rich soil, add manure, leaf matter, or compost if necessary. Moist soil. Supply mulch of manure of bark chippings when planting to help maintain moisture; do not cover the crowns. Regular watering during dry periods in summer to keep the soil moist. There is no need to water in the winter as the plant prefers dry soil while resting. Cut back to the ground in autumn. Replace regularly as Meconopsis plants do not live for a long time.
How to Grow from Seeds
The seeds of the Meconopsis should be sown on the surface. This can be done just before the last frost of spring or towards the end of fall. Blue Poppies prefer to grow in a shady or partially shady part of the gardens but can tolerate sunny areas in milder climates. They like rich, acidic soil. Ideally, the soil should be kept moist in the summer but allowed to dry in the winter.
When starting Blue Poppy off indoors, do so about two months in advance. First, the Meconopsis seeds should be sown in vermiculite. It should take about two to four weeks for the Blue Poppy to germinate at 54 to 64 degrees Fahrenheit (12 to 18 degrees Celsius). Once growing, the seedlings should be watered from beneath. Once ready, transplant the young Meconopsis plants at a spacing of 12 inches/30 cm (small) to 2.5-3 feet/75-90 cm (large) apart. This should be done following the last frost of spring.
Grower's Tips
When growing Meconopsis plants in the garden, it is very important to keep the soil moist in the summer. Once the growing period has finished, cut back the Meconopsis plant to ground level (fall). If you require more plants, they can be propagated by division at the start of spring.
Source: gardenershq.com
Links
- Back to genus Meconopsis
- Plantpedia: Browse flowering plants by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, or Origin