James H. Schutte
Family
Papaveraceae
Botanical Name
Meconopsis cambrica
Plant Common Name
Welsh Poppy
Special Notice
This entry has yet to be reviewed and approved by L2G editors.
General Description
Renowned for its blue poppies, which make an astonishing display in cool, moist gardens, Meconopsis includes more than 40 species of herbaceous perennials, all but one of them from the Himalayas and western China. The exception is the Welsh poppy, Meconopsis cambrica which inhabits western Europe. The Asian natives typically produce large four-petaled poppy-like flowers at the tips and in the axils of tall leafy stems, although some bear their flowers on leafless scapes. The blooms may be blue, yellow, pink, red, or white. Spherical, egg-shaped, or cylindrical seed capsules follow the flowers. The leaves are often lobed and are sometimes hairy or bristly. Cut stems may exude yellow sap. Plants usually grow from a creeping rhizome or a taproot, in the latter case often forming an impressive rosette of basal leaves, which may overwinter. Some of the tap-rooted Meconopsis die after flowering. The apotheosis of the Asian Meconopsis are M. betonicifolia, M. grandis, and their hybrids. Their large blue flowers provide an awe-inspiring early summer display in gardens that can meet their rather exacting needs. The relatively small, yellow-flowered M. cambrica is the most adaptable of the meconopsis, flourishing and self-sowing in many garden situations. Asian Meconopsis need cool summers and chilly winters, doing best in dappled shade and moist acidic humus-rich soil. They perish in hot or dry climates. A loose airy winter mulch may be beneficial. Welsh poppy takes well to most partially shaded gardens that do not experience extremes of cold, heat, or dryness. A massed planting of the Asian species is unforgettable, especially in the company of other moisture-lovers such as Japanese primroses. Welsh poppy makes a wonderful plant for cottage gardens and other informal settings.
Characteristics
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AHS Heat Zone
5 - 1
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Plant Type
Perennial
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Sun Exposure
Partial Sun, Partial Shade
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Height
1'-6' / 0.3m - 1.8m
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Width
10"-30" / 25.4cm - 76.2cm
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Bloom Time
Summer
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Native To
Western Europe, Southern Asia
Growing Conditions
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Soil pH
Acidic, Neutral
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Soil Drainage
Well Drained
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Soil type
Loam
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Growth Rate
Medium
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Water Requirements
Average Water
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Habit
Clump-Forming
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Seasonal Interest
Summer
Ornamental Features
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Flower Interest
Showy
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Flower Color
White, Yellow, Red, Blue, Orange, Pink, Rose
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Fruit Color
Green, Tan
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Foliage Color (Spring)
Green, Blue Green
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Foliage Color (Summer)
Green, Blue Green
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Foliage Color (Fall)
Green, Blue Green
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Foliage Color (Winter)
Green, Blue Green
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Fragrant Flowers
No
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Fragrant Fruit
No
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Fragrant Foliage
No
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Bark or Stem Fragrant
No
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Flower Petal Number
Single
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Repeat Bloomer
No
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Showy Fruit
No
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Edible Fruit
No
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Showy Foliage
Yes
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Evergreen
No
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Showy Bark
No
