Eomecon chionantha
Snow poppy, Poppy of the dawn, Chinese snow poppy, Chinese bloodroot
- Height × spread
- 0.46m × 0.46m
- Position
- Part shade
- Hardiness
- Cold to -15C (RHS H5)
- Flowers
- Spring
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
A beautiful name, Snow poppy, for a plant that produces its lovely white nodding flowers, yellow stamened, during spring. It is possible that there may some flowers in autumn. The big rounded leaves, attractively lobed, are a feature after the flowers have finished. The leaves are sagittate (the stem is attached to the leaf near its centre, see picture). It is, regrettably, invasive and unsuited to a position in a herbaceous setting. Use it as ground cover beneath large shrubs or in a position where it can colonize without destroying valued plants. It is beautiful in a cool woodland position where there is plenty of moisture. It has orange sap, noticeable if the plant is damaged.
- Flower colour
- White
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Dome
- Height
- 0.46m
- Spread
- 0.46m
- Season of interest
- Spring, Autumn
- Flowers in
- Spring
- Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Sun or shade
- Likes part shade, likes light shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Well drained soil
- Hardiness
- Cold to -15C (RHS H5)
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Ground cover, Bee attraction
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed with slow release fertiliser
Apply a general purpose slow release fertiliser, spreading it around the root area of the plant as it is coming into growth. (Or apply a liquid feed at regular intervals throughout the growing season.)
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost as a single annual procedure.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water during dry periods
For plants in the ground, when there has been little or no rain for a period of 7-10 days and the soil is dry, give it a deep watering and repeat weekly until there is a downpour of rain. Check plants in pots more frequently, especially in hot weather.
Spring - early-mid · Planting
Divide when too large
The plant can be divided if it becomes too large or another plant is required. This may involve physically dividing the clump in two, removing offsets or small bulbs or dividing rhizomes. The new plants can be grown in pots or planted in the ground.