Blue Poppy (Meconopsis grandis)

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ulfhocke May 28, 2003

Common name: Blue Poppy
Family: Papaveraceae
Genus: Meconopsis
Species grandis

Plant Link: http://plantsdatabase.com/go/531/

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Post #539388
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dencor Jul 22, 2003

I just bought this plant and was warned that it's very hard to grow. I live in the Pacific NW, which is an area where it's supposed to survive. I don't know how though because our winters are mild and we get very little snow if any. I thought I would plant it beneath a tall rhododendren because our summers can get pretty hot and dry. The folks at the nursery said to plant it in a shady spot where it won't get a lot of wind. They also suggested putting rocks in the bottom of the planting hole for drainage. Do you have anything to add that might make me successful in growing this beautiful plant?

Post #590411
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Lenjo Mount Angel, OR(Zone 8a) Jul 22, 2003

You lucky dog, I wish I could grow this blue poppy, I too have tried with no success.

Dencor, where are you in the Pacific NW? I tried the very same thing with a blue poppy under a rhododendron. NOT, it croaked. Where did you purchase yours? I bought from Russell Graham Purveyor of Plants out of Salem, Oregon andthey told me the exact scenario you mentioned above.

Post #590524
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NoH2O Everson, WA(Zone 8a) Jul 23, 2003

I have not grown this plant. It is supposed to be impossible to grow in the midwest.....time will tell. I planted 3 this spring. Two drowned in our endless rain this year. The third one is doing fine so far. I have read that they need excellent drainage, acidic soil, a lot of compost and a slow release fertilizer since they are heavy feeders. Any flower buds the first year must be removed and not allowed to bloom or the plant will die. They dislike wind and high temperatures. The M. betonificolia is supposed to be easier than M. grandis. However I read in Weird Dude's Plant Zoo's catalog that he had some blooming in Virginia and they survived weeks of temperatures over 100. So I am going to give it a try. When you say you are in the Pacific Northwest, do you mean west of the Cascades? I think that is the type of climate that is ideal for Meconopsis.

Post #590784
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Lenjo Mount Angel, OR(Zone 8a) Jul 23, 2003

NoH20, I am west of the Cascades and usually I think of our milder rainer climate when I you say Pacific Northwest. But that would be a great question to ask others to see what their perspective is.

Post #590959
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NoH2O Everson, WA(Zone 8a) Jul 23, 2003

The reason I asked is sometimes the Pacific Northwest is considered to include that whole corner of the country. I used to live outside Seattle so I consider west of the Cascades to be the PNW. East of the Cascades is a completely different climate and not one that the blue poppy would take to!! My climate doesn't fit the bill either but I am determined (read 'stubborn Taurus') to grow it.

Post #590965
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