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Meconopsis baileyi

Himalayan poppy

A table displaying which months are best to sow, plant and harvest.
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Flowers
Flowers

Plant does not flower in January

Plant does not flower in February

Plant does not flower in March

Plant does not flower in April

Plant does flower in May

Plant does flower in June

Plant does flower in July

Plant does not flower in August

Plant does not flower in September

Plant does not flower in October

Plant does not flower in November

Plant does not flower in December

  • Botanical name: Meconopsis baileyi
  • Common name: Himalayan poppy
  • Family: Papaveraceae
  • Plant Type: Perennial, Deciduous
Flower colour:

Blue

Foliage colour:

Blue​/​Green

Meconopsis is a genus of plants in the poppy family, the most common of which grown in Britain are the Welsh poppy, Meconopsis cambrica, and the Himalayan blue poppy, Meconopsis baileyi. The flowers are a similar shape and structure to true poppies, but they can be identified as meconopsis by their seedheads. Rather than ‘pepper pot’ seedheads typical of true poppies, meconopsis seedheads are thin and long.

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Meconopsis baileyi bears spectacular, bowl-shaped blue flowers with bright yellow centres, in late spring to early summer. It makes a dramatic statement when grown en masse, and does best when grown in moist, neutral to acid soil in a partially shaded spot. The Royal Horticultural Society has given it the prestigious Award of Garden Merit (AGM).

How to grow Meconopsis baileyi

  • Plant size

    1.2m height

    45cm spread

  • Aspect

    North facing, east facing, west facing

  • Position in border

    Middle

  • Sun exposure: Dappled shade, full shade, partial shade
  • Shade type: Damp
  • Hardiness: Hardy
  • Soil type: Acidic / boggy / clay / heavy / moist / well drained / light / sandy
  • Plant care: Needs regular watering in pots

Plant calendar

A table displaying which months are best to sow, plant and harvest.
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Sow
Sow

Do not Sow in January

Do not Sow in February

Do Sow in March

Do Sow in April

Do Sow in May

Do not Sow in June

Do not Sow in July

Do not Sow in August

Do not Sow in September

Do not Sow in October

Do not Sow in November

Do not Sow in December

Plant
Plant

Do not Plant in January

Do not Plant in February

Do not Plant in March

Do not Plant in April

Do Plant in May

Do Plant in June

Do not Plant in July

Do not Plant in August

Do not Plant in September

Do not Plant in October

Do not Plant in November

Do not Plant in December

Flowers
Flowers

Plant does not flower in January

Plant does not flower in February

Plant does not flower in March

Plant does not flower in April

Plant does flower in May

Plant does flower in June

Plant does flower in July

Plant does not flower in August

Plant does not flower in September

Plant does not flower in October

Plant does not flower in November

Plant does not flower in December

Divide
Divide

Do not Divide in January

Do not Divide in February

Do not Divide in March

Do not Divide in April

Do not Divide in May

Do not Divide in June

Do Divide in July

Do Divide in August

Do Divide in September

Do not Divide in October

Do not Divide in November

Do not Divide in December

Meconopsis baileyi and wildlife

Meconopsis baileyi is known for attracting bees and other pollinators. It has nectar/pollen rich flowers.

Attractive to Bees

Does not attract Beneficial insects

Does not attract Birds

Does not attract Butterflies​/​Moths

Attractive to Other pollinators

Is Meconopsis baileyi poisonous?

Meconopsis baileyi has no toxic effects reported.

No reported toxicity to:

No reported toxicity to Birds

No reported toxicity to Cats

No reported toxicity to Dogs

No reported toxicity to Horses

No reported toxicity to Livestock

No reported toxicity to People

Plants that go well with Meconopsis baileyi