- Botanical name: Meconopsis punicea 'Sichuan Silk'
- Family: Papaveraceae
- Plant Type: Perennial
Red
Green
- Key features:
- Flowers
- Attractive to wildlife
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 betonicifolia. The flowers are a similar shape and structure to true poppies, but they can identified as meconopsis by their seedheads. Rather than ‘pepper pot’ seedheads typical of true poppies, meconopsis seedheads are thin and long.
Meconopsis punicea is a beautiful red-flowered species, bearing several long stems on which one long-petalled flower emerges from a hairy bud. Flowers are produced over a long period, a few at a time. Typically the plants are monocarpic, meaning they die after flowering, but ‘Sichuan Silk’ is truly perennial. Plants are hardy and grow in clumps, making this a perfect choice for a shady border or long-term container display. For best results, grow in moist but well drained, neutral to acidic soil, in a partially shaded spot.
How to grow Meconopsis 'Sichuan Silk'
-
Plant size
45cm height
25cm spread
-
Aspect
North facing, east facing
-
Position in border
Front
- Sun exposure: Dappled shade, full shade
- Hardiness: Hardy
- Soil type: Well drained / light / sandy / clay / heavy / moist / acidic
Plant calendar
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plant | ||||||||||||
| Plant |
J
Do not Plant in January |
F
Do not Plant in February |
M
Do Plant in March |
A
Do Plant in April |
M
Do Plant in May |
J
Do Plant in June |
J
Do not Plant in July |
A
Do not Plant in August |
S
Do not Plant in September |
O
Do not Plant in October |
N
Do not Plant in November |
D
Do not Plant in December |
| Flowers | ||||||||||||
| Flowers |
J
Plant does not flower in January |
F
Plant does not flower in February |
M
Plant does not flower in March |
A
Plant does not flower in April |
M
Plant does flower in May |
J
Plant does flower in June |
J
Plant does flower in July |
A
Plant does flower in August |
S
Plant does not flower in September |
O
Plant does not flower in October |
N
Plant does not flower in November |
D
Plant does not flower in December |
| Divide | ||||||||||||
| Divide |
J
Do not Divide in January |
F
Do not Divide in February |
M
Do Divide in March |
A
Do Divide in April |
M
Do not Divide in May |
J
Do not Divide in June |
J
Do not Divide in July |
A
Do not Divide in August |
S
Do Divide in September |
O
Do Divide in October |
N
Do Divide in November |
D
Do not Divide in December |
Meconopsis 'Sichuan Silk' and wildlife
Meconopsis 'Sichuan Silk' is known for attracting bees. It has nectar/pollen rich flowers.
Attractive to Bees
Does not attract Beneficial insects
Does not attract Birds
Does not attract Butterflies/Moths
Does not attract Other pollinators
Is Meconopsis 'Sichuan Silk' poisonous?
Meconopsis 'Sichuan Silk' has no toxic effects reported.
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 'Sichuan Silk'
