Meconopsis (George Sherriff Group) 'Dorothy Renton'

RHS Plant Profile
Himalayan blue poppy 'Dorothy Renton'
Award of Garden Merit
Herbaceous Perennial

A clump-forming perennial to around 1.2m in height, forming a rosette of elliptic, hairy green leaves with jagged, serrated edges. Leaves are flushed reddish-purple when young. In early summer, tall leafy stems bear a succession of large flowers with narrow, widely spaced sky blue petals, sometimes flushed with violet

Position

Partial shade

Soil Types

Clay, Loam

Max Height

1-1.5 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.5-1 metres
Max Height
1-1.5 metres

Growing Conditions

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

Position

Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or West–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
Unresolved

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in dappled shade in humus rich, slightly acidic soil with good drainage and protection from drying winds. Thrives in areas with cool damp summers; best planted in soil that does not dry out in summer or get waterlogged in winter

Propagation

Propagate by division; this cultivar does not produce viable seed

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Cut back spent flower stems

Pests

May be susceptible to slugs, snails and aphids

Diseases

May be susceptible to downy mildews