Himalayan Blue Poppy
Forum Archives
bakingbarb
Location: Washington, Western
Posted: Apr-25-2005 at 9:23pm I am wondering about Himalayan blue poppy, Meconopsis betonicifolia. Is it safe to plant?
~BakingBarb
HarleyLady
Location: Willamette Valley
Posted: Apr-25-2005 at 9:36pm
What do you mean by "safe"? Are you asking if it's invasive? I sure wish it would invade my garden. I've been able to grow it but never in the thick patch I'd love to have.
HarleyLady
Fern
Location: Washington, Western Cascade Foothills
Posted: Apr-26-2005 at 6:38am
It's not invasive at all. It's considered very hard to grow. Fortunetly we live in a good climate for it. It wants sun, rich, moist soil and cool tempatures. I just planted one this spring. Make sure to buy one with multipal crowns because the crown that flowers may die and you want replacement crowns for next year. It is beautiful.
Fern
cjmiller
Location: Oregon, Willamette Valley
Posted: Apr-26-2005 at 2:08pm
I agree, it is difficult to grow. I have tried seeds several times, and finally bought one that had the beginning of one bud forming. The clerk told me to cut it off and not let it bloom the first year, I couldn't do that, he didnt say why, I didnt. It bloomed and died and I assumed it was because I was too greedy to follow instructions.I have seen large batches that bloom every year, but have not succeeded in duplicating that behavior. Is it a biannual?
Carol
Fern
Location: Washington, Western Cascade Foothills
Posted: Apr-26-2005 at 9:13pm
It is monocarpic, which means the crown that flowers will die regardless of how many years it takes to reach that stage. That was why I got one with multiple crowns, some only had one crown and a flower bud. The trick is to grow it well enough that it keeps making more replacement crowns. I hear that Heronswood has it, or it might be Meconopsis betonifolia, that reseeds itself. That is one plant I would like to reseed!
Fern
bakingbarb
Location: Washington, Western
Posted: Apr-26-2005 at 9:50pm
Fern, thanks for the headsup on where to purcahse them. I thought it would be so pretty against my new roses. Lets see if I can find one first!
~BakingBarb
Gardening for the Homebrewer: Grow and Process Plants for Making Beer, Wine, Gruit, Cider, Perry, and More
By co-authors Debbie Teashon (Rainy Side Gardeners) and Wendy Tweton