Alphabetical Plant Listing

Meconopsis betonicifolia (Blue Poppy)

Himalayan Poppy, Blue Poppy, Tibetan Poppy


Noted for its beauty and grandeur, Meconopsis betonicifolia (Blue Poppy) is a short-lived perennial boasting large, silky, cup-shaped, clear blue flowers, 3-4 in. wide (8-10 cm), with contrasting golden stamens and a short ivory-white style. Borne in succession on erect leafy stems, the striking blossoms rise with majesty from a basal rosette of hairy, oblong leaves and give way to narrow seed pods. Occasionally monocarpic, Blue Poppy will bloom in summer, then make seeds and die. However, this clump-forming perennial will persist and flower year after year, if given suitable conditions and care. Planted in small groups, the delicate flowers will give a color punch to your shady borders and draw attention from late spring to early summer.

  • Grows in clumps up to 3-4 ft. tall (90 - 120cm) and spreads 12-24 in. (30-60 cm). Will happily self-seed in good growing conditions to create a lovely colony.
  • Prefers part shade in humus-rich, neutral to slightly acidic, moist but well-drained soils. Make sure the soil has plenty of organic matter. Do not allow the soil to dry out during the growing season.
  • This plant does not respond well to high summer heat and humidity but thrives in areas with cool damp summers. Shelter from cold, dry winds.
  • The acidity of the soil will impact the color of your poppies: the more alkaline the soil, the more purple the color will be.
  • Apply a balanced fertilizer in spring and mulch round plants with garden compost or well-rotted manure.
  • Perfect for beds and borders, underplanting shrubs, cottage gardens, and woodland gardens.
  • Deer and rabbit resistant
  • Cut down to the base in late fall.
  • Propagate by seed or by division after flowering but can be short-lived.
  • May be affected by slugs and snails or downy mildew
  • Native to the Himalayas and surrounding regions.

Not sure which Meconopsis - Himalayan Poppy to pick?
Compare All Meconopsis - Himalayan Poppy

Buy Meconopsis betonicifolia (Blue Poppy)

Requirements

Hardiness 7 – 8
Heat Zones 5 – 8
Climate Zones 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 17, A1, A2, A3
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Meconopsis - Himalayan Poppy
Exposure Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Late)
Summer (Early)
Height 3' – 4' (90cm – 120cm)
Spread 1' – 2' (30cm – 60cm)
Spacing 18" – 24" (45cm – 60cm)
Water Needs Average
Maintenance Average
Soil Type Clay, Loam
Soil pH Acid, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy
Tolerance Deer, Rabbit
Garden Uses Beds and Borders, Underplanting Roses and Shrubs
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage

Buy Plants

Guides with Meconopsis - Himalayan Poppy


Lori Ellis, Sujitra Chaowdee, Shutterstock

While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.


Requirements

Hardiness 7 – 8
Heat Zones 5 – 8
Climate Zones 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 17, A1, A2, A3
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Meconopsis - Himalayan Poppy
Exposure Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Late)
Summer (Early)
Height 3' – 4' (90cm – 120cm)
Spread 1' – 2' (30cm – 60cm)
Spacing 18" – 24" (45cm – 60cm)
Water Needs Average
Maintenance Average
Soil Type Clay, Loam
Soil pH Acid, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy
Tolerance Deer, Rabbit
Garden Uses Beds and Borders, Underplanting Roses and Shrubs
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage

Guides with Meconopsis - Himalayan Poppy

Plant Calculator

How many Meconopsis betonicifolia (Blue Poppy) do I need for my garden?

%
ft
ft

Your Shopping List

Plant Quantity
Meconopsis betonicifolia (Blue Poppy)

Find your Hardiness Zone

Find your Climate Zone

Find your Heat Zone

Join Gardenia.net

Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.

Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.

Join now and start creating your dream garden!

Create a New Collection

Optional. For your reference.


Move Selected Plants to a Different Collection


Delete Collection

This field is required.

Rename Collection

This field is required.