Face landscape

Blue Poppy

Meconopsis
A genus within the larger Papaveraceae ( Poppy ) family that are among the most exotic of all perennials.
* photo of unknown internet source





Meconopsis betonifolia ( Himalayan Blue Poppy )
A perennial, reaching a maximum size of 6.5 x 2 feet, that is native to the Chinese portion of the Himalayan mountains.
The hairy, shallowly toothed, oblong leaves are up to 12 inches in length.
The very beautiful, sky-blue ( with yellow stamen ) flowers, up to 2 inches across, are borne in heads of up to 6 from early to late summer.
The stems are covered in bristly, gold-brown hairs.
Hardy zones 5 to 7 in cool partial shade on humus-rich, well drained soil. It should not be allowed to bloom in the first year of the plant may weaken and not survive the first winter.

Meconopsis cambrica ( Welsh Poppy )
A perennial, reaching a maximum size of 2 feet x 16 inches, that is native to western Europe.
The ferny basal leaves, up to 8 inches in length, are mid-green.
The bright yellow to orange poppy flowers, up to 2 inches across, are borne late spring into mid autumn.
Hardy zones 2 to 8 and easy to grow in full sun on just about any well drained soil.
Self seeds freely.

Aurantiaca
Orange flowers.

Meconopsis cheilonifolia
A perennial, reaching a maximum size of 3.3 x 2 feet, that is native to western Szechuan in China. The hairy leaves are deeply lobed.
The pale yellow, bell-shaped flowers, up to 3.2 inches, are borne during early summer.
Hardy zones 5 to 7, preferring cool woodland conditions.

Meconopsis grandis
A very vigorous perennial, reaching a maximum size of 5 x 2 feet, that is native to the Himalayas.
The coarsely toothed, elliptical basal leaves, up to 12 inches in length, are hairy and green.
The nodding, deep blue poppy flowers, up to 9 inches across, are borne in clusters of 3 or more during late spring.
Hardy zones 3b to 6 in cool partial shade on humus-rich, well drained soil. Prefers cool summers and thrives especially well in Anchorage, Alaska, coastal British Columbia and the Canadian Maritimes. Divide regularly.

Meconopsis integifolia ( Yellow Chinese Poppy )
A rosette-forming perennial, reaching a maximum size of 3.3 x 2 feet.
It is often monocarpic ( die after flowering ).
The basal leaves are up to 15 x 2 inches.
The yellow, cup-shaped flowers, up to 7 inches across, are borne during early summer.
Hardy zones 5 to 8 in cool partial shade on humus-rich, well drained soil

Robusta
Taller ( to 4 feet ) with larger flowers, up to 8.5 inches across.

Meconopsis nepaulensis
A vigorous, large, upright, clump forming perennial, reaching a maximum size of 8.3 x 3.3 feet, that is native to the Himalayas ( from Nepal to southwest China ). It is usually monocarpic ( die after flowering ).
The deeply-lobed, basal leaves are up to 20 inches in length. The foliage is covered in fine hairs.
The nodding, blue, white, red or purple flowers, up to 3.2 inches across, are borne during early summer.
The stems are covered in fine hairs.
Hardy zones 5 to 8 in cool partial shade on humus-rich, well drained soil.

Meconopsis quintuplinerva ( Harebell Poppy )
A perennial, reaching a maximum size of 3 x 3 feet.
The basal leaves are up to 10 inches in length.
The hanging, azure-blue, bell-shaped flowers, up to 2 inches in length, are borne
arching, hairy stems.
Hardy zones 5 to 7 in cool partial shade on humus-rich, well drained soil

Meconopsis regia
A rosette forming perennial, reaching a maximum size of 6.5 x 4 feet, that is native to Nepal. It is usually monocarpic ( die after flowering ).
The deeply-cut basal leaves reach up to 40 ( rarely over 24 ) inches in length. The foliage is green with bronze hairs.
The golden-yellow, cup-shaped flowers, up to 5 inches across, are borne during early summer.
Hardy zones 5 to 7 in cool partial shade on humus-rich, well drained soil.

Rubra
Red flowering form.

Meconopsis sheldonii Branklyn
A strong growing perennial, reaching a maximum size of 6 x 2 feet.
The bristly, oblong basal leaves are up to 12 ( rarely over 10 ) inches in length.
The rich blue flowers are up to 6 inches across, are borne from the upper leaf axils.
Hardy zone 3 to 6 in cool partial shade on humus-rich, well drained soil
It can tolerate as low as -40 F but hates hot summers.
In the eastern U.S., it only grows about as far south as Wilkes-Barre PA.
Divide regularly.
* photo of unknown internet source


Meconopsis superba
A rare evergreen, rosette forming perennial, reaching a maximum size of 7 x 3 feet.
The white poppy flowers, up to 5 inches across, are borne during mid summer.
Hardy zones 5 to 7 in cool partial shade on humus-rich, well drained soil

Meconopsis villosa
A rosette forming perennial, reaching a maximum size of 5 feet x 20 inches.
The foliage is hairy and green. The nodding, clear yellow, rounded poppy flowers, up to 2 inches across, are borne during summer.
Hardy zones 5 to 8 in cool partial shade on humus-rich, well drained soil