Meconopsis 'Mervyn Kessell'
(Himalayan Blue Poppy 'Mervyn Kessell')

Family - Papaveraceae
Category - Perennial
Season of Interest - Spring, Summer
Hardiness - H5
Height - 1m
Width - 45cm
Location - The Stream Area

Description: A herbaceous Perennial with a clump-forming habit. Mid-green leaves are lanceolate, oblong or Elliptic in shape with coarsely toothed margins. The foliage and the flower buds are covered in copper-coloured bristles. Outward-facing, saucer-shaped flowers open deep azure blue, flushed with cobalt blue and violet. The flowers fade to pale sky blue with age. At the centre of each Bloom is a showy cluster of stamens with golden Anthers and a proud, pale green stigma. The flowers are held in small clusters atop upright stems and are produced in early summer.

This cultivar is named after Mervyn Kessell, a nurseryman and Meconopsis enthusiast.

Flower:

Outward-facing, saucer-shaped flowers open deep azure blue and are flushed with cobalt blue and violet. The flowers gradually turn pale sky blue with age. At the centre of each bloom is a prominent cluster of white stamens with golden anthers and a proud, pale green stigma. The flowers are held in clusters atop upright stems and are produced in June.

Flower colour: Blue

Flower shape: Saucer-shaped flowers in clusters

Flowering time: June

Foliage:

Mid-green leaves are lanceolate, oblong or Elliptic in shape with Dentate margins. The leaves are covered in copper-coloured bristles. The foliage is held in rosettes at the base of the plant and in opposite pairs on the flowering stems.

Foliage Senescence: Deciduous

Foliage Shape: Lanceolate, oblong, elliptic

Propagation:

Division

Cultivation:

Best in partial shade in moist, acidic soil with good drainage. This Meconopsis prefers a position that stays relatively cool during the summer months.