Macleaya microcarpa 'Spetchley Ruby'

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plume poppy 'Spetchley Ruby'

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Synonyms

Macleaya 'Spetchley Ruby'
Macleaya cordata 'Spetchley Ruby'

Herbaceous Perennial
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A vigorous, spreading herbaceous perennial to 2m in height, with large, rounded, lobed grey-green leaves, whitish beneath. Tiny dark red flowers are carried in large, feathery plumes in early to mid summer, followed by ruby-coloured seeds

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

1.5-2.5 metres

Max Spread

1-1.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
1-1.5 metres
Max Height
1.5-2.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H6

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Papaveraceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Clump forming, Bushy
Genus
Macleaya are large herbaceous rhizomatous perennials with handsome palmately lobed leaves and large airy panicles of tiny flowers
Name Status
Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

Best in a deep, moderately fertile soil that is moist but well-drained, but will tolerate most soils. It needs plenty of space and has the potential to become a nuisance on sandy soils. For the best foliage, provide shelter from cold winds; likes sun but tolerates partial shade

Propagation

Propagate by division in late autumn or spring, by softwood cuttings in early summer, or by root cuttings in winter

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Architectural
  • Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Cut down to the base in late autumn

Pests

May be susceptible to slugs

Diseases

May be susceptible to grey moulds