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Papaveraceae
Himalayan Blue Poppy
Meconopsis betonicifolia
Aspiration, the unattainable, wonder.
- Family
- Papaveraceae
- Genus
- Meconopsis
- Native to
- Tibet, Bhutan, Yunnan
- Bloom season
- Late Spring, Early Summer
- Type
- Herbaceous perennial
- Height
- 60–120 cm
- Sunlight
- Part shade
- Soil
- Rich, moist, acidic
- Water
- High; cool roots
- Hardiness
- 5–7
- Lifespan
- Short-lived perennial
Did you know
- The Himalayan blue poppy is one of the only true blue poppies in the world — a sight so legendary that plant hunters in the early 1900s mounted dangerous Himalayan expeditions just to see it.
- It was discovered in 1886 but didn't reach Western gardens until 1924, when Frank Kingdon-Ward brought back seeds from Tibet — and it caused a sensation.
- It demands cool summers, rich soil, and constant moisture, making it nearly impossible to grow in most of North America — Scotland and the Pacific Northwest are the only reliable spots.
- The pure sky-blue color comes from a unique pigment in the petal cells — most 'blue' flowers are actually purple, but Meconopsis is the real thing.
- The species name betonicifolia means 'with leaves like betony', another European medicinal herb.
Color meanings
Blue
A dream come true