How to grow blue Himalayan poppies
Fancy a challenge? Try growing Himalayan blue poppies, Meconopsis – find out how, in our guide.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| To do | yes | yes |
The Himalayan blue poppy is native to the woodland streams of the Himalayas, and makes a striking, if unusual, addition to the UK garden.
It bears bowl-shaped blue to pinkish flowers from early to mid-summer. It's not the easiest plant to grow as it can be tricky imitating the exact habitat requirements associated with the Himalayas, and tends to do best in wetter parts of the country. However, with the right conditions and a little care, you can successfully grow Himalayan blue poppies in the UK, even in the drier south-east.
The Himalayan blue poppy is not actually a true poppy (Papaver) as it belongs in the Meconopsis genus. But it gets its common name from its resemblance to true poppies.
How to grow Himalayan blue poppy
Grow Himalayan blue poppy in rich, moist but well drained soil that is slightly alkaline to slightly acidic. As a cool-weather plant, choose a partially shaded spot so it doesn't dry out in summer or become scorched by the sun. Stake with sturdy sticks or bamboo canes before flowers open. Mist in hot weather to raise humidity and remove the flowerheads after they have gone over. Himalayan blue poppies require lots of organic matter so apply a heavy mulch of compost or well-rotted manure every autumn to nourish the soil.
Where to grow Himalayan blue poppy
Grow Himalayan blue poppy in a partially shaded spot in rich, moist but well drained soil that is slightly alkaline to slightly acidic.
More like this
How to plant Himalayan blue poppy
Plant Himalayan blue poppy at the same depth it was growing in it pot. Firm in well and water thoroughly.
Caring for Himalayan blue poppy
Keep well watered in summer and mist around the plants in hot weather. Stake flowers before they open. Deadhead spent blooms to prevent the plant from spending energy on seed production – if you want to save seed then perhaps let one plant develop seed while deadheading the others. Apply a thick mulch in autumn to protect the roots from frost and nourish the soil. Ensure the soil doesn't become waterlogged in winter.
Here, Monty Don explains how to care for the hybrid Meconopsis x sheldonii. Find out how he intends to give it the best possible conditions for flowering:
How to propagate Himalayan blue poppy
Himalayan blue poppy can be propagated by division or seed. The easiest option is division – simply dig up and divide your blue poppy at the first sign of growth in spring. Water well until established.
Himalayan poppy seed needs light to germinate. For best results sow fresh seed on the surface of moist peat-free seed compost or multi-purpose compost mixed with perlite at a radio of two parts compost to one part perlite. Cover with a thin layer of vermiculite to prevent the compost from drying out. Mist regularly and water gently once seedlings have emerged. When seedlings are large enough, transplant into individual pots of peat-free compost mixed with perlite, and overwinter in a cold frame or unheated greenhouse – bear in mind that many seedlings are lost at this stage so transplant very carefully. Keep transplanting as and when you need to, watering carefully to ensure the compost doesn't dry out but doesn't become waterlogged. Plant out into their final growing positions the following autumn.
Pests and diseases
Himalayan blue poppy doesn't suffer from pests and diseases although slugs and snails can be a problem in early spring.
Advice on buying Himalayan blue poppies
- Himalayan poppies are available from specialist nurseries and online – you're unlikely to find them in the garden centre
- Make sure you have the right conditions for growing Himalayan poppies before buying
- Always check for signs of damage and disease before planting
Where to buy Himalayan blue poppies
Varieties of Himalayan blue poppy to grow
Meconopsis baileyi – often sold as Meconopsis betonicifolia, it blooms in June and July. Height x Spread: 1.2m x 45cm
Meconopsis baileyi ‘Lingholm’ – bears larger flowers (10cm) than the species (8cm) in deep sky-blue. Flowers May to June. H x S: 1.2m x 45cm
Meconopsis ‘Slieve Donard’ (Infertile Blue Group) – large, nodding flowerheads, similar to ‘Lingholm’. Flowers May to June. Propagate by division only. H x S: 1m x 50cm
Meconopsis x sheldonii – a hybrid of Meconopsis baileyi and Meconopsis grandis. Flowers April to June. H x S: 90cm x 60cm
September issue on sale now!
The September issue of BBC Gardeners' World magazine is on sale now, buy online or in stores now.
Plant of the Week: Azalea 'Dwarf Collection'
This week, save over 70% and buy 4 x 9cm potted plants (1 of each variety) for just £12.99.
Offer ends 23.59, Sunday 15 September.
