Meconopsis punicea
(Red Poppywort)
Family - Papaveraceae
Category - Perennial, Monocarp
Origin - Western China
Year of Introduction - 1904
Season of Interest - Spring, Summer
Hardiness - H5
Height - 60cm
Width - 30cm
Location - The Stream Area
Description: A herbaceous Perennial (though usually monocarpic in this country) with a tufted habit. Mid-green to grey-green leaves are oblong to Elliptic in shape and held in basal rosettes. The foliage and flower buds are covered in fine, pale bristles. Oval buds open to pendent, bell-shaped flowers that are a striking shade of deep blood red. The Blooms are held singly atop delicate, upright stems. Each rosette of foliage can produce several flowering stems. The flowers are produced from early summer (sometimes from late spring) into midsummer and are followed by bristly, oblong seed Capsules. Plants will usually die after setting seed.
Flower:
Bristly, oval buds open to pendent, bell-shaped flowers that are a rich shade of deep blood red. The blooms are held singly on upright stems and are produced from early to midsummer. Several flower stems may be produced from one rosette of leaves. The flowers are followed by oblong, bristly seed capsules, and the plant will usually die afterwards.
Flower colour: Red
Flower shape: Bell-shaped flowers held singly
Flowering time: June, July
Foliage:
Mid-green to grey-green leaves are Elliptic to oblong in shape and densely covered in pale bristles. The leaves are held in rosettes at the base of the plant.
Foliage Senescence: Deciduous
Foliage Shape: Elliptic to oblong
Propagation:
Cultivation:
Best in a sunny position in moist, fertile soil with good drainage.
