Meconopsis 'P. C. Abildgaard'
(Himalayan Blue Poppy 'P.C. Abildgaard')

Family - Papaveraceae
Category - Perennial
Origin - Raised in Denmark
Year of Introduction - 2007
Season of Interest - Spring, Summer
Hardiness - H5
Height - 1m
Width - 45cm
Location - The Stream Area

Description: Infertile Blue Meconopsis Group

A herbaceous Perennial with a clump-forming habit. Pale to mid-green leaves are oblong to ovate in shape with coarsely toothed margins. The foliage and the flower buds are covered in fine, copper-coloured bristles. Long, pointed buds open to nodding, sky blue flowers flushed with violet. The Blooms are bowl-shaped when they open and become saucer-shaped as they develop. At the centre of each Bloom is a showy cluster of stamens with golden Anthers and a proud, white stigma that becomes pale green with age. The flowers are held in whorl-like clusters atop upright stems and are produced from late spring into early summer. The flowers are followed by oblong, bristly seed Capsules that bear no viable seed.

Award of Garden Merit (AGM).

Flower:

Long, pointed buds open to large, nodding flowers that are sky blue flushed with violet. The blooms open bowl-shaped and become saucer-shaped as they develop. At the centre of each bloom is a prominent cluster of stamens with white filaments and golden anthers, and a proud, white stigma that turns pale green with age. The flowers are held in whorl-like clusters atop upright stems and are produced in May and June. The flowers are followed by oblong, bristly seed capsules that contain no viable seed.

Flower colour: Blue

Flower shape: Bowl to saucer-shaped flowers in clusters

Flowering time: May, June

Foliage:

Pale to mid-green leaves are oblong, ovate or Elliptic in shape with Dentate margins. The foliage is covered in fine, copper-coloured bristles. The leaves are held in basal rosettes and in opposite pairs on the flowering stems. The leaves of M. 'P.C. Abildgaard' are among the latest to emerge in spring within this group of Meconopsis.

Foliage Senescence: Deciduous

Foliage Shape: Oblong, ovate, elliptic

Propagation:

Division.

Cultivation:

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