Meconopsis spp.

blue poppy

Papaveraceae

Himalaya and mountains of western China

Attracts Pollinators Container Friendly

SunPart Shade

WaterHigh

HardinessZones 3–7

Overview

Meconopsis spp. is a genus of about 75 perennials and biennials in the poppy family (Papaveraceae), centered on the Himalaya and the mountains of western China, with one outlier, the Welsh poppy, in western Europe. The plants form rosettes of bristly, lobed or toothed leaves, from which leafy or leafless flowering stems rise 12–60 in (30–150 cm) tall. Cup- or saucer-shaped flowers 2–4 in (5–10 cm) across open in late spring and summer in clear sky-blue, purple, red, pink, yellow, or white, with a central boss of yellow stamens. The blue-flowered species, such as M. betonicifolia and M. grandis, are widely grown for their petals. Several species are monocarpic, building a rosette over several years and dying after a single flowering. The genus needs cool, humid summers, dappled shade, and deep, moist, acidic, humus-rich soil, and is intolerant of heat, drought, and alkaline ground. Slugs and crown rot are common problems. Seed is small and short-lived, and is sown fresh to aid germination. In hot or dry climates the plants are short-lived and hard to maintain.

Native Range

Meconopsis spp. is native chiefly to the alpine meadows, woodland, and screes of the Himalaya and the mountains of western China, with a few species in Myanmar and elsewhere in Asia. The Welsh poppy, M. cambrica, grows wild in western Europe.

Suggested Uses

Grown in woodland gardens, shaded borders, and peat beds in cool, moist climates, often massed for the blue-flowered display. The genus suits Himalayan-style and acid-soil plantings alongside primulas and rhododendrons. It grows reliably only in regions with cool summers.

How to Identify

Look for ground rosettes of bristly, often blue-green lobed leaves and tall stems carrying large, papery, poppy-like flowers with a yellow center. Blooms range from sky-blue and purple to red, yellow, and white. The bristly hairs and a watery to yellowish sap separate it from true poppies.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height1' - 5'

Width/Spread1' - 2'

Colors

Flower Colors

red

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~4 weeks

Spring Summer

Flowering comes in late spring and early summer, lasting a few weeks on each plant. The wide poppy-like flowers open blue, purple, red, yellow, or white, drawing bumblebees and other insects. Monocarpic species flower once, set seed, and then die.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

sky-blue, purple, red, pink, yellow, or white

Foliage Description

blue-green to green, bristly

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunPartial Shade

Requires 3-6 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.0 - 6.5(Acidic)

357912

Soil Types

loam peat

Drainagemoist

Water & Climate

Water Needs

High

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

2-4 years

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Meconopsis spp. grows in dappled shade on deep, moist, acidic, humus-rich soil in regions with cool, humid summers. Steady moisture is needed through the growing season, but waterlogging in winter rots the crown. The genus performs poorly in heat, drought, and alkaline soil, which limits it largely to cool maritime and mountain climates. Removing the first flower buds on young monocarpic plants can push them toward a perennial habit. Slugs, snails, and crown rot are the main problems. Plants are raised from fresh seed or, in clump-forming species, by division after flowering.

Pruning

Spent flower stems are cut back after bloom, unless seed is wanted from monocarpic plants. Removing early flower buds in the first year or two can prolong the life of monocarpic species. Dead foliage is cleared in late autumn as the rosettes die down.