Meconopsis go on trial
17 May 2010
The first-ever RHS trial of the big blue poppy, Meconopsis, has just begun. It is at Streamside garden at RHS Garden Harlow Carr, near Harrogate. Harlow Carr was chosen because the conditions are thought to be the best of the RHS Gardens for Meconopsis. They are generally thought to prefer shade, moist soils and atmosphere, to do really well.
There have been 23 cultivars planted, showing the different hybrid groups for comparison, which will begin to flower in May and June. Assessing the plants will the RHS Rock Garden Plant Trial Assessment Panel, plus a number of specialist including experts from Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh and the Alpine Garden Society.
See the big blue poppies at other gardens
Apart from the trial at RHS Garden Harlow Carr, there are Meconopsis demonstration plantings that visitors can see in Lady Anne’s Garden at RHS Garden Rosemoor in Devon; at the east end of the Wild Garden at RHS Garden Wisley in Surrey; at Holehird in Cumbria, run by the Lakeland Horticultural Society. A further comparison planting has been made at Dr Evelyn Stevens’ garden, who is a National Collection holder.
These demonstrations will provide comparisons for the Harlow Carr trial. In particular, Meconopsis are not considered to grow as well in the hotter, drier south of England and it also thought that this can affect flower colour – the trials panel will be able to make an assessment of this.
The trial runs from 2010-2013; and then the results of which cultivars have received an Award of Garden Merit will be announced.