Meconopsis baileyi Hensol Violet - Blue Poppy

Meconopsis baileyi 'Hensol Violet', also known as the Himalayan Blue Poppy, is a rare form of this mythical plant that collectors are clamouring for. The exquisite flowers of this hardy perennial are a satin mauve to pink-mauve shade, warmed by a bouquet of golden stamens, carried by elegant and sturdy stems above light green velvety foliage. This variety is a gift from nature, a treasure that deserves an attempt at sowing. Grow in humus-bearing and moist soil, in the shelter of the undergrowth or a wall, in filtered light.

Originating from the Yarlung Zangbo Gorge in southeastern Tibet, the Himalayan poppy grows at an altitude of 3000 to 4000m (9842 to 13123ft). It thrives in partially shaded and moist locations, in neutral, humus-bearing, and deep soil. Capricious, it can wither overnight for no apparent reason. The 'Hensol Violet' cultivar is a rare form that faithfully propagates by sowing, discovered by chance towards the end of the last century in the park of a Scottish castle. It is a hardy perennial plant with fast growth, showing a rosette habit from which emerge 80cm (32in) tall flowering stems. The basal rosette, with a diameter of 40 to 50cm (16 to 20in), is composed of cordate and ovate leaves, of a fairly light green colour. They are villous with long petioles. The ramified flowering stems have several mauve-pink flowers with a diameter of 8 to 10cm (3 to 4in), with a slightly translucent and silky texture. Their golden centre consists of an ovary on a short stem surrounded by a collar of stamens. The flowering is followed by the formation of brown capsules filled with small black spherical seeds.

Often difficult to maintain in our gardens, it is nevertheless perennial, hardy, and prolific. To give yourself the best chance, look for and find the coldest spot in your garden, at the base of an east or north-facing wall, in well-drained and loose soil, or at the edge of a woodland exposed to morning sun. Plant it in large masses, give it space, and let nature take its course. Meconopsis baileyi and its varieties seem to be the easiest to grow in warmer and drier climates during the summer than in its country of origin. It is important to keep in mind that this plant experiences summer monsoons in Tibet and is covered in snow during winter.

Meconopsis baileyi is the emblem of the Reford Gardens in Gaspésie, Quebec.