Meconopsis rudis

HAIRY BLUE POPPY

Meconopsis rudis
HAIRY BLUE POPPY

Meconopsis rudis is a stunner amongst Himalayan Blue Poppies.
So for lovers of blue poppies, this hairy beauty is like the holy grail – gardeners will sell their souls to possess it, and pursue it to the ends of the earth.

Frilly cobalt blue flowers of the most riveting colour are flushed with mauve, in spring & summer.
While hairy blue-grey leaves make the perfect colour foil for these intensely coloured flowers.
And even the hairy buds are adorable.

A piece of heaven in the shade

So just like the other Himalayan Blue Poppy cousins, plant Meconopsis rudis in Part Shade positions,  with Dappled Shade or a little Morning Sun only.

And the Hairy Blue Poppy also enjoys rich soil, manure, compost, and atmospheric humidity like the rest of the family.

It is mercifully frost hardy.
And thankfully it can self-seed if given the right spot to live.
So it is worth getting on the knees and begging all the gods of gardening to please let it self seed for you, or going to any lengths to provide the conditions it loves.
Because it is a short lived perennial, relying on self-seeding or deliberate seed saving to perpetuate it over many years.

Meconopsis rudis – worth every sacrifice

But Meconopsis rudis is so beautiful, it is worth every sacrifice, just to see it flower. Even if it is only the once – it is heavenly.

45cm H x 30cm.

SEED SOWING ADVICE: Meconopsis rudis

Sow indoors in spring or autumn.

Sow seeds on surface of good quality seed raising mix.
Then press gently into mix and do not cover. Because the seeds need light to germinate.

Keep the sown punnet continually moist but not wet.
In a well-lit (but not in direct sun) and cool position.

Temperatures of around 12-15°C are optimum for faster germination.

Seeds germinate in 20-25 days.

If the seeds are being shy to sprout – cling wrap the moist, sown punnet & place in the fridge (not the freezer) for 3 weeks.

Then remove from the fridge, unwrap, & return to a cool, well-lit position, as above.

SEED COUNT: 20 seeds per pack approx.
(This plant is rarely available, and seeds are scarce – but we do aim to give generous value in our seed count).

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