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Herbaceous Perennial

Meconopsis betonicifolia Franch.

blue poppy

A short-lived, often monocarpic perennial to 1.2m in height, forming a rosette of hairy, oblong leaves. Erect leafy stems bear a succession of clear blue poppies 8-10cm in width with contrasting yellow stamens

Other common names

Himalayan poppy
Tibetan poppy

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Ultimate height

1–1.5 metres

Time to ultimate height

2–5 years

Ultimate spread

0.1–0.5 metres

Clay

Loam

Moisture

Moist but well–drained

pH

Acid, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Partial shade

Aspect

East–facing or West–facing

Exposure

Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Papaveraceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Clump forming
Genus: Meconopsis can be annuals, biennials, evergreen or herbaceous perennials, often monocarpic, with rosettes of hairy leaves and bowl-shaped flowers that may be solitary on a leafless stem, or in racemes or panicles on a leafy stem
Name status: Correct
Plant range: China

How to grow

Cultivation

Only suitable for particular sites: the soil needs to be neutral to slightly acid, moist but well-drained and enriched with leaf mould or humus to prevent stagnation; in a partially shaded site with shelter from cold, dry winds. Thrives in areas with cool damp summers

Propagation

Propagate by seed or by division after flowering but can be short-lived

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Cottage and informal garden
Flower borders and beds
Underplanting of roses and shrubs

Pruning

Cut down to the base in late autumn

Pests

May be susceptible to slugs and snails

Diseases

May be affected by a downy mildew

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