Family:	Papaveraceae
Genus:	Meconopsis
Cultivar:	‘Lingholm’
Common name:	Himalayan blue poppy ‘Lingholm’
Height:	1m
Spread:	0.5m

Hybrid of M.betonicifolia (Tibet) x M.grandis (Himalayas)

Genus name derived from the Greek and means ‘looks like a poppy’. Cultivar is named for the gardens in the Lake District where it was raised.

An exquisite, high-maintenance diva of a plant, forming a rosette of basal leaves before flowering stems bear sky-blue flowers. Grows up to 1m high, with a spread of around 0.5m. Hardiness H5. Many other Meconopsis are available, but M. ‘Lingholm’ is the most widely grown as it produces viable seeds and is therefore easier to propagate than others which can only be reproduced vegetatively.

Leaves are fresh green and elliptic, with a pale midrib, and form a basal rosette in spring. Flowering stems bear alternate caulescent leaves, mostly sessile although lower ones may be petiolate. The plant dies back after flowering, but a new rosette of leaves quickly emerges, and lasts until winter dormancy.

In June, bears flowers up to 10 cm across, comprising four overlapping petals of sky-blue, sometimes with a slight mauve flush, around a central pistil that protrudes from a starburst of golden anthers. Several flowers are produced from the top of the flowering stem, and single flowers are borne in the upper leaf axils. Flowers are followed by hairy seed-pods.

Best in typical woodland conditions; dappled shade, sheltered from extremes of temperature and from drying winds.

Needs good drainage – particularly in winter – although needs to be reliably moist during the growing season. Likes a fairly rich acid soil, but will tolerate neutral.

Cut flowering stems in the first year so that a good root system can be established. Cut right back in autumn each year, and divide every three to four years to avoid congestion; although Meconopsis are thought of as short-lived perennials, ‘Lingholm’ can live for decades given the right conditions and care.

May be attacked by slugs and snails, and downy mildew can be a problem.

Propagate by seed, or by division in summer, after flowering.

Most at home in a woodland scheme, but also beautiful in a cottage garden. At Chatsworth, Meconopsis are grown sparingly at the front of blue-leaved hostas, where the woodland opens up to the kitchen garden, while in the floral marquee at Chelsea 2014, they formed the highlight in a display of candelabra primulas and ferns; the flowers were are at their most beautiful with the sun shining through their petals.

Also makes a good cut flower.