The late Mrs. Clement S. Houghton of Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, composed this little verse pointing out the difficulty of growing meconopsis.
Written on the train to New York to attend a meeting of The American Rock Garden Society, it caused much amusement among her host of gardening friends and is still quoted.
Her gift of a packet of seeds started me on the attempt to grow the beautiful blue poppy of Tibet. Since that time, over 20 years ago, a plant or two has found its place in my garden.
Only recently, however, have we been able to point with some pride to a good number growing together in a colony.
For Better Success
The tendency to indulge is strong when a plant is rare and a choice. More attention given to its requirements and habits would often result in better success. Formerly, the plants were tried in high and dry situations.
Now, a lower spot where shade and moisture are present is far more to their liking.
The plants seem to be thriving just within the outer perimeter of a group of young hemlock trees where the soil is not excessively acidic.
Meconopsis is not lime-loving. The sun shines briefly during the morning, and distant trees later cast long shadows in the hot afternoon.
Transplanting
All poppies resent transplanting, and meconopsis is no exception. The plants have been started in cold frames, and losses have always been considered when moving.
The practice now is to sow the seed thinly in peat pots and then sink them directly into the garden spot where they can grow without disturbance.
The genus meconopsis is confined largely to Asia, particularly to the mountain regions of western China and Tibet.
Fortunately, many beautiful species had been introduced and successfully grown before the bamboo curtain was drawn against plant exploration.
They are plants of cooler areas and have been especially well grown in Scotland and other places in the British Isles. They are also being grown in gardens in Canada and the Northwest.
Meconopsis Betonicifolia Var. Baileyi
M. betonicifolia var. bailey is perhaps the most widely known. To many, it is the typical blue poppy of Tibet.
Other strains and species now enrich many botanical and private gardens. The wonderful blue of the best strains is unrivaled among flowers.
Coupled with the silken texture of the petals and soft gray foliage, the plant has extraordinary beauty.
While there are numerous types with flowers of blue, such as M. grandis and others, some have blossoms of soft primrose yellow, integrifolia, and white superba, to mention a few.
Recently, hybrids with flowers of pink and red have been developed, but can any equal or surpass the wonder of the true blue poppy?
Perennial and Biennial Species
Some species are sound perennials and go on from year to year. Others are biennial and die after blossoming and bearing seed.
All are herbaceous. The early growth of the rosettes is interesting to watch, as the small leaves of many sorts are thickly covered with hairs.
These hairs vary in color, according to the variety, from brown to golden and silvery-white. The leaves of most kinds are glaucous at maturity.
Meconopsis is not for the careless gardener. They are not impossible, however, as the little poem might imply. Our own limited success is heartening and rewarding.
44659 by Betty Jane Hayward