The Name of My Favorite Plant
Himalayan blue poppy (Meconopsis betonicifolia)
How I First Found Out About This Plant
The famous Reford Gardens in Metis, Quebec, Canada grow Himalayan blue poppies. I ordered seeds in 2005, it took 3 months to germinate, it flowered for the first time in 2008, but this year my plant has 20 flower buds.
How I Have Cared for This Plant
I add compost every spring, I always water the roots only, and mulch. Because we have very cold winters, I cut my Himalayan blue poppy to the ground in the fall and cover with conifer branches.
Pests, Diseases or Other Problems for This Plant
So far I have not seen a single pest or insect on my Himalayan blue poppies. I have not had the least little problem with this plant, no disease whatsoever.
Why I Love This Plant So Much
My Himalayan blue poppy is my pride and joy. Everyone told me Himalayan blue poppy was such a difficult plant for this or that reason and it was almost impossible to even have a seed germinate, and if so, then it might not even flower.
The first year when I planted it in the ground in the fall it was only about 4-5 inches tall, I kept hoping all winter it would be there in the spring. We moved into a new house in 2007 and I moved the Himalayan blue poppy along with all my other plants. It is really the jewel of my garden.
Location: My Region, Location of the Plant in My Yard
I live in Val-Morin, Quebec, Canada, in the Laurentians, we are in a zone 4 area.
The plant receives morning sun and shade for the rest of the day. I have ordinary good garden soil with compost added every spring. I do not use any chemical fertilizer.
Tips and Tricks
- Patience when sowing
- Himalayan blue poppies prefer cool temperature
- No grow lights
David Beaulieu, Landscaping Guide, says:
Kudos, Carmen, for your success in growing Tibetan or Himalayan blue poppies. I've had trouble growing blue poppies, as I relate in my photo gallery of blue flowers.
From what I understand, there is some confusion in the ranks of the experts between the different types of blue poppy. There is a Meconopsis betonicifolia, which you have cited, but then there is also a Meconopsis grandis (which is the type that I tried to grow). A related plant in the mix is Meconopsis x sheldonii, which is a hybrid between the two.
