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Herbaceous Perennial

Meconopsis (Infertile Blue Group) 'Slieve Donard'

Himalayan blue poppy 'Slieve Donard

'Slieve Donard' is a short-lived perennial about 1m tall, forming an upright rosette of oval leaves covered with white hairs. In summer, erect, leafy stems bear a cluster of pure sky blue poppies 10-16cm across with contrasting yellow stamens. The seed capsules, covered in bristly hairs, are decorative but contain no viable seed

Synonyms
Meconopsis (Infertile Blue Group) 'Dawyck'
Meconopsis × sheldonii 'Slieve Donard'

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Size
Ultimate height
1–1.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
2–5 years
Ultimate spread
0.1–0.5 metres
Growing conditions
Clay
Loam
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green
Summer Blue Green Green
Autumn Green
Winter
Position
  • Partial shade
Aspect

West–facing or East–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H5
Botanical details
Family
Papaveraceae
Native to GB / Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Clump forming
Genus

Meconopsis can be annuals, biennials, evergreen or herbaceous perennials, often monocarpic, with rosettes of hairy leaves and bowl-shaped flowers that may be solitary on a leafless stem, or in racemes or panicles on a leafy stem

Name status

Accepted

How to grow

Cultivation

Only suitable for particular sites: the soil needs to be neutral to slightly acid, moist but well-drained and enriched with leaf mould or humus to prevent stagnation; in a partially shaded site with shelter from cold, dry winds. Thrives in areas with cool damp summers

Propagation

Propagate by division after flowering but can be short-lived

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Flower borders and beds
Pruning

Cut down to the base in late autumn

Pests

May be susceptible to slugs and snails

Diseases

May be affected by a downy mildew

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