Meconopsis and Meconopsis x sheldonii
Common name ; Blue Himalayan poppy
Meconopsis is a genus of flowering plants in the poppy family (Papaveraceae). The genus name means 'poppy-like', from the Greek words 'mekon' (poppy) and 'opsis' (alike). Meconopsis is native to the Himalayas and neighbouring areas (Chia, Nepal, Burma, Tibet, and India). Plants in this genus can grow 60-90 cm/2-3 ft in height. Many of the species in this genus are monocarpic. That is, they can be short lived or die after flowering.
Meconopsis x sheldonii, like other members of its genus, needs an evenly moist, rich, free-draining soil, and a cool woodland setting. It tolerates cold weather conditions. M. x sheldonii bears large, satiny blue flowers atop stems that range 60- 90 cm/2-3 ft in height. The flowers are 8-10 cm/3-4 in across, with a circle of golden stamens. Spent flowers give way to narrow seedpods. M. x sheldonii has rosettes of lance-shaped, mid-green leaves which are covered in rusty brown hairs especially when young.
M. x sheldonii is thought to be a cross between M. bailey (synonym M. betonicifolia) and M. grandis. This hybrid is thought to have occurred independently in the early 1930s. The first recorded instance was by William George Sheldon in 1934. It arose spontaneously in his garden at Oxford in Surrey.
Meconopsis x sheldonii can be found in Bed 85A near the top of the Cherry Walk. The photos were taken in May and June of 2024.
Text and photos by Kumi Sutcliffe.