Those of you who enjoyed my previous post about the meconopsis might be interested to know that the plant has produced seven flower heads in total, of which this lovely bloom appears to be the last.
Is it just me, or does this late flower have more pink in it? Perhaps it is the light?
It’s definitely a different hue to flower number 6, the final, fading petal of which you can see here, in front of five separate fuzzy seadheads.
Since my last post, I have been puzzling away at the vexed issue of how to propagate this poppy. I understand the plant is hermaphroditic, but, in the absence of other, nearby meconopsis of the same variety, can it fertilise itself? Will these seedheads produce any seed at all, and if so, will the seed be sterile? Should I try to divide the plant in autumn to give it another chance (it has a couple of crowns, one of which did not produce a flower stem this year)? I am a propagation novice, as well as a meconopsis novice, and have many questions.
I recently listened to this podcast, which included an interview with Helen Knowles (of the Meconopsis Group) which left me wondering even more! I did learn that the cultivar which was sold to me under the name of Meconopsis betonicifolia is apparently actually Meconopsis baylei, and was glad to hear that I’m growing the plant in the kinds of conditions it obviously likes and thrives in, but I’m still left wondering how, in the absence of other nearby poppies, my meconopsis could ever flower again next year. Is this my blue poppy’s last hurrah? Do the experienced gardeners among you have any ideas?
It’s definitely poppy season here in the mill garden – I’m really enjoying our display of Perry’s White . . .
. . .and the big, red oriental poppies, which high winds destroyed last year . . .
all the roses are now blooming . . .
. . . and every day I cut another peony for the vase.
I have no idea what this gorgeous ruffly cultivar is (it is one of the garden’s well-established plants) but, like the poppies, it is having a much better season, with better wind protection (I put up a little tent of stakes and string around it).
You can see the peony in situ in this bed – whose blowsiness gives a fair sense of the feel of my garden in general.
My next gardening post will, I hope, include some sweet peas (which I grew from seed and which, again, have done much better than last year) and my dahlias (which I overwintered in brown paper, in the shed and potted up a few weeks ago, in place of the tulips).I discarded a couple of grey and shrivelled tubers during the dahlia re-potting, but was pleased to see that most of them survived, looked healthy, and are now happily shooting up. Of course, I forgot to label any of the tubers – so part of this year’s fun will be the surprise of re-encountering them. Is my last year’s favourite, Mystic Dreamer, among the shed survivors?
To close, my first cosmos flower – another from-seed success!
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Hi Kate Your enjoyment of the garden is contagious. Re meconopsis, I cannot advise division or seed recovery. One thing I do know is during bloom time, deadhead, deadhead, deadhead. Take the pod/stem down to ground. This makes the plant throw its energy into remaining blooms/buds instead of seed production. IMHO Cynthia
https://stories.rbge.org.uk/archives/35506
This is a Scottish site so it may be helpful for you. Our University of Alberta Devonian Garden uses meconopsis betonificolia as a garden symbol. Lots of people believe that as an ironic gesture since it is so hard to grow it here! Tara Nixon
This link is FANASTIC, thank you so much Tara – exactly what I need!
I thought that it would be dead easy to Google “Is Meconopsis baylei monocarpic?” Not even the Meconopsis group’s website had a straight answer that I could find! There’s a Scottish nursery (https://shop.glendoick.com/Meconopsis-Himalayan-Poppies) that suggests they should come back and flower again. But lots of sources seem to say that they might be short-lived perennials. It would be fun if you could collect your own seed and raise your own strain!
This is indeed the problem I’ve been having!
I’ll have a go anyway
Is that my favorite geranium cultivar, “Rozanne”, next to your impossibly ruffled peony in the photo of your border?😁
Yes it is indeed! Who could not love Rozanne?
…such a wonderful color; blooms all/ most of the season💗
Bravo, Kate! It’s lovely to see you enjoying your beautiful plants. Someone knew what they were doing when they planted up the Mill’s garden!
Those photos are simply amazing! I have garden envy — I live on the 10th floor of a high-rise condo. But I am incapable of keeping a plant alive, so that is likely for the best.
Afraid I can’t advise you on your Meconopsis, I garden on chalk. However it may well come up again next year, & as for seeds – if it sets seeds, which is why plants have flowers in the first place, maybe let it self-seed? If bees have visited the flowers, there should be seeds. Plants are pretty good at finding their own ‘right places’.
Meanwhile enjoying our Ladybird poppies and the Californian poppies – they’re busily self-seeding, so there may be a second flush later in the season. Otherwise there’s always next year. And I’m definitely considering getting a Peony. Just hope next year will be dry through spring cos I’ve heard Peonies is something molluscs love!
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What beautiful flowers; thank you for sharing such stunning pictures. I do love the giant poppies. Our neighbours have some and they are mind bending in their shape and size. Our roses are doing quite well at the moment which has made me think we might want to buy a few more plants. Do you have any favourites you can recommend? Thanks. Julian
Just be patient to let the seed heads ripen on their own. When the plant gives them up, that’s the time to collect. Self sown is a crap shoot. RHS should know all the details. Good luck. some seeds are very fussy.
Hello Kate, Thanks for your post. Re the meconopsis seeds, we visited Branklyn Garden
I’ve never tried growing them myself, but a friend has had some success. My understanding from her was that they are perennial – unless hers are seeding themselves down. RHS says they are perennial, but may be short lived
I seem to remember that the later blooms were a little more pink than the earlier ones, when dad grew them. He also allowed the seed pods to ripen, then collected them and planted the seeds. I’m not aware that any gardens in our immediate vicinity had blue poppies, but I do remember him having seedlings to pass on. (now you’re probably even more confused!) Sadly the garden my parents took such pride in has now been dug up and grassed over by the new owners of my family home. Never much of a gardener myself I enjoy seeing your garden blooming.
Your little micro climate must really suit so many flowers, I have buds on my cosmos but no flowers here yet … although I am picking my autumn sown sweet peas.
Your poppies are so beautiful … sorry I can’t help re the meconopsis, I gave up they just wouldn’t grow for me, sadly.
Hi Kate,
I put ‘do meconopsis self seed’ into Google chrome and apparently they do in the right conditions. As the parent plant is happy I guess the seeds will be too. Perhaps let some seed self sow this season and collect other seed to store for next year…? I’m no expert but that is what I would try.
I wish you success, Tracey
What beauty I found in my inbox thanks to your post of your amazing flowers in your garden. I love all of your emails you have sent to this flower sharing end! I, too, appreciate all of your tidbit nuggets of detailed info that makes the visual experience that much richer. Thanks a million for the shot of beauty this day! Gratefully
Hi Kate. I share your gardening enthusiasms and frustrations. Sorry – I can help with the meconopsis – I gave up
So beautiful! Sad they only last such a short time!
That was a blast :) Good luck with that extraordinary blue poppy, such a treat.
Super garden, really enjoy looking at what you have as I don’t garden but love looking!