Himalayan Blue Poppies

The RHS website states that this plant :"thrives in areas with cool, damp summers." Which explains why it does well in Scotland! (It also blooms at Dalemain House, near Penrith, in Cumbria.)

I've wanted to grow them, we have a shady garden & areas that stay damp, & slightly acid soil. But reading this, don't think I'll try as I always take it personally when I plant something & it doesn't thrive. I know I shouldn't, so many plants do come back unexpectedly year after year, even after what was quite a severe drought last year round here.

Cerotastigma is a pretty shrub, easy to grow in pots and soil with lots of small blue flowers, I haven't had any success with Mecanopsis

Grew them about 30 years ago in a property. They surived for 20 odd years, were in a sunny site beside some Irises. From what I recall they were very rarely disturbed and then just disappeared.

No me neither, the only ones I can grow are the orange California poppies..They spring back every year and they always cheer me up..

Even gardening gurus say they haven’t succeeded in growing these lovely flowers.

I used to sell seeds from my plants, and the packets I produced for them, based on the instructions I had successfully used, were
"Sow seed from Dec – Feb. sowing thinly onto the surface of moist, peat-based compost in trays or plastic pots. Cover the seed with fine grit or a little sieved compost.

Keep in a light, well-ventilated place such as a cool greenhouse or frame. Never allow surface to dry out, especially after germination has taken place. Germination takes two weeks to several months;

Damping-off can be a problem. The chances of this occurring should be minimized by applying very dilute fungicide when the first seedlings emerge. Prick out seedlings at the two or three leaf-stage. handling the leaves only. Transfer gently to the same light compost, avoiding compaction.

Keep in a shady place until growth has resumed. Keep the plants growing actively, and repot before the pots become root-bound. It is important not to let the plants suffer a check in growth. Transfer to larger pots or into the garden when large enough."
I never had any plants self-seed successfully. Collected seed needs to be stored in the fridge, in a paper envelope then a plastic container.

I bought plants from Branklin Gardens in Perth 2 years ago and they told me they can be quite temperamental. They, too, have had trouble on and off but they have so many spread over the garden they always come back. I just noticed this morning that the ones I planted have just started to grow so hopefully I'll have flowers this year. I also saved some seeds last year, dried them off and I'll plant them this year. I have my fingers crossed and my optimist hat on!

I've bought plants a few times over the years but never managed to keep it going for more than one season, despite careful positioning in a moist shaded bed. I just checked the RHS site which says they only flower once and then die, so I suppose you have to hope that they will seed themselves and appear again the next year.

On holiday abroad we met a chap who showed me photos of his meconopsis - they were wonderful. But he lived in the west of Ireland so I guess that's the trick for success!

dragonfly46

Has anyone grown these successfully?
I have been trying to grow them from small plug plants for a few years now but I am never successful.
Is there a special trick to it?
I love blue flowers.

So do I. I wish you success.

J52

The best ones I’ve seen are growing in a Scottish National Trust garden. I think they have to be grown in a situation that best replicates a Himalayan hillside.

Yes, I’ve seen them in Poolewe in the north west of Scotland but I can’t grow them in the north east.

https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202604/medium-f7tqye-m-lingholm-11-5-09.jpg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202604/medium-bzyd5g-meconopsis-betonicifolia.jpg

I grew them successfully from seed way back when I could actually get down my garden. I got the seed from, I think, the Meconopsis Society in Scotland, as the seed needs to be fresh. Looking back at the pictures, I see it was in 2009! and they have sadly died out now. The plants used to last 2 or three years only here in my acid North Wales garden, and I used to have enough plants to sell at car boot sales. Everyone passing along the road used to remark on them and they were a joy.

A friend in the Isle of Man who actually taught horticulture. Tried for years with no success. Then one year he was really excited watching the flower bud develop. This is it he though tomorrow is the day. There was a horrendous storm that night ! In the morning the stem had collapsed. What more is there to say 😩

One just seemed to self seed in the garden of our old house. I just looked out of the kitchen window one morning and there it was. It was just wonderful. A lovely surprise.

I have a few friends who have meconopsis growing successfully in their gardens. For full disclosure, I’m in Scotland in an area where the NTS has been able to nurture them successfully. Other friends have also had no luck at all - I think it must depend on whether the seeds/plants like you!

I think you have the perfect climate and soil for them in Scotland, ViceVersa.

As Beth Chatto would have said, ‘Right plant, right place!’

I know this probably won't be much help to you, but they do grow quite well at various botanic gardens here in Scotland. There's one in particular - Dawyck Botanic Garden near Peebles - which has swathes of them in the late spring/early summer, and it's a beautiful sight.

Thank you all for your replies. I am going to persevere and maybe try seeds next year. At the moment I have a few plants in pots but will see if they will flower.

We tried years ago...
No luck.

I have Cerinthe major all over my garden as it’s an enthusiastic self seeder. Loks lovely in a blue glass vase with the lime green of Euphorbia.

Himalayan poppies need free draining soil in a semi woodland environment. They must never dry out or become waterlogged. Like hydrangeas they won’t have a clear blue colour unless the soil is acidic.

Stratification (putting the seeds in the freezer) mimics winter and hopefully encourages germination.

I’m tempted to have another go now. 😂

I think that they need acid soil for sure. But other than that because I grow on chalk I haven’t really looked into them.

Ask those who do grow them successfully what their soil type is and if they live in a wetter part of the U.K. I.e. west

Cerinthe loves my garden and spreads rather too well. I pull up loads of self sown seedlings, but do leave several patches as the bees absolutely adore it.

The only blue flower I have managed is the Cerinthe sp. the foliage is a gratifying silver and there are drooping bunches of blue/purple blossom. Mine are flowering at the moment.

My husband grew them many years ago from seed. He was told to put the seeds in the freezer for a few days and then he brought them on in the greenhouse. This was the only time he managed to grow them . He has tried again a few times but no success. He must have been lucky the first time as I know they are hard to grow. We live in Central Scotland