Meconopsis 'Dalemain '
(Himalayan Blue Poppy 'Dalemain')
Family - Papaveraceae
Category - Perennial
Season of Interest - Spring, Summer
Hardiness - H5
Height - 1m
Width - 45cm
Location - The Stream Area
Description: George Sherriff Group
A herbaceous Perennial with a clump-forming habit. Oval to oblong leaves emerge tinted with reddish-purple in spring before turning grey-green to mid-green with age. The foliage and flower buds are covered in fine copper-coloured bristles. Pointed, pale green buds open to large outward-facing, saucer-shaped flowers that are a deep shade of azure blue and flushed with lavender-purple. At the centre of each Bloom is a showy cluster of delicate white stamens with golden Anthers. The flowers are held in small clusters atop upright stems and are produced from late spring through early summer. The flowers are followed by bristly seed Capsules that contain no viable seed.
Meconopsis 'Dalemain' may be derived from plants originally collected by the renowned plant hunter, George Sherriff, during an expedition to Bhutan in 1934.
Award of Garden Merit (AGM)
Flower:
Pointed, bristly pale green buds open to large, outward facing saucer-shaped flowers that are a deep shade of azure blue and flushed with lavender-purple. At the centre of each bloom is a prominent central cluster of white stamens with golden anthers. The blooms are held in small clusters atop upright stems and are produced in May and June. The flowers are followed by bristly seed capsules that have no viable seed.
Flower colour: Blue
Flower shape: Saucer-shaped flowers in clusters
Flowering time: May, June
Foliage:
Grey-green to pale green leaves are oval to oblong in shape (sometimes Elliptic) with Dentate margins. The new growth emerges tinted reddish-purple in spring. The leaves are held at the base of the plant and in opposite pairs on the flowering stems. The foliage is covered in copper-coloured bristles.
Foliage Senescence: Deciduous
Foliage Shape: Oval to oblong
Propagation:
Division.
Cultivation:
Best in partial shade in moist soil with good drainage. This Meconopsis prefers a position that stays relatively cool during the summer months.