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Herbaceous Perennial

Meconopsis baileyi var. alba

A short-lived, clump-forming perennial to around 1.2m in height, forming a rosette of oblong, hairy green leaves. Leafy, upright stems bear a succession of white flowers with contrasting yellow stamens, often half-nodding and 8-10cm across, in early summer

Synonyms

Meconopsis betonicifolia var. alba
Meconopsis betonicifolia white

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Ultimate height

1–1.5 metres

Time to ultimate height

1–2 years

Ultimate spread

0.5–1 metres

Clay

Loam

Moisture

Moist but well–drained

pH

Acid, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Partial shade

Aspect

East–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)

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
Plant range: China

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 seed, sown fresh and thinly in containers in a cold frame; light is needed for germination. May also be propagated by division immediately after flowering, though plants can be short-lived

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Cottage and informal garden
Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Cut back spent flower stems unless seeds are required

Pests

May be susceptible to slugs, snails and aphids

Diseases

May be susceptible to downy mildews

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