Meconopsis regia
Royal poppy
- Height × spread
- 1.4m × 1m
- Position
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Very cold to -20C (RHS H6)
- Flowers
- Spring
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
This poppy often takes several years to come into flower. It develops an imposing rosette of elliptic leaves that are covered in silvered or golden hairs. The leaves may measure as much as 60cm (2ft) in length so, a mature foliage mound may reach 1m (3ft) in diameter. The flowering spike will carry a number of yellow cupped flowers, and these may individually measure 12cm (5in) in diameter. They have a purple style and stigma. It is hard to find the true species which is prone to hybridise with others of its kind. In the wild, it is found in a small area in Nepal where it grows at some altitude. The plant prefers fertile humus rich moist soil in a sheltered sunny or partly shaded spot. Relocate the plant within the garden every few years.
- Flower colour
- Yellow
- Foliage colour
- Green, Grey, Yellow
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Column
- Height
- 1.4m
- Spread
- 1m
- Season of interest
- Spring, Autumn
- Flowers in
- Spring
- Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun, likes part shade
- Soil type
- Clay, Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- Acid (ericaceous), Neutral
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Well drained soil
- Hardiness
- Very cold to -20C (RHS H6)
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Hazards
- No
AutumnNow
Autumn - late · Outdoors
Apply mulch
Spread organic material around the plant being careful not to bury its crown, or to put the mulch above the point at which the plant has been grafted in the case of trees.
A mulch is a covering that can: protect the soil surface from rain, heat and cold; deter weeds; provide nutrients. Organic indicates that material has vegetative origin e.g. manure, compost. Synthetics i.e. plastics, or stones are often called mulches.
Spring
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed with sequestrol
If plants are acid loving and grown in soil with little acidity, or in a container, or are watered with limey tap water an annual feed with sequestrol (iron chelate) is highly beneficial. Follow guidelines on the packet. Will also 'blue-up' hydrangeas.
For hydrangeas that have good blue flowers in acid soil, this product can be used with alkaline soil to turn the flowers blue. This is most effective when the soil is neutral or just slightkly alkaline.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water to keep the soil moist
For best results, this plant needs soil that is always moist. Water deeply and regularly as soon as soil appears dry. Even for established plants in the ground, a dry week can cause problems with some soils. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather. Or install an automatic irrigation system which will do the hard work for you, even when you are away on holiday.
Without regular watering some plants never fully regain their beauty.
Spring · Planting
Divide after flowering
Clumps that have become congested can be lifted, divided and replanted with some space between the bulbs, corms, or rhizomes so that they can further develop, producing new foliage clumps in the future.
Planting & general
Outdoors
Water with rain water
This plant needs rain water or soft water (the minerals in alkaline or "hard" water are harmful). This is especially important for plants in pots.
Found in
More Meconopsis
Meconopsis
Blue poppy
Meconopsis baileyi
Himalayan blue poppy, Asiatic poppy
Meconopsis napaulensis
Satin poppy
Meconopsis x sheldonii (ambig.)
Sheldon's Blue poppy
Meconopsis baileyi
Himalayan blue poppy, Asiatic poppy
Meconopsis grandis 'Slieve Donard'
Slieve Donard poppy