Meconopsis (George Sherriff Group) 'Susan's Reward'
Himalayan blue poppy 'Susan's Reward'
A short-lived perennial about 1m tall, forming an upright rosette of long, oval, hairy leaves suffused with red-purple when young. In summer, erect, leafy stems bear a cluster of deep blue poppies 11-15cm across. These may have mauve or purplish tones, and have contrasting yellow stamens. The seed capsules, covered in bristly hairs, are decorative but contain no viable seed
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Size
Ultimate height
1–1.5 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Purple Green | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Blue Purple | Green | Green | |
| Autumn | Green | |||
| Winter |
Position
- Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H5Botanical 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
Accepted
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 division after flowering but can be short-lived
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Cottage and informal garden
- Flower borders and beds
Pruning
Cut down to the base in late autumn
Pests
Diseases
May be affected by a downy mildew
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