Meconopsis betonicifolia - Blue Poppy

<p><strong><a href="https://en.promessedefleurs.eu/perennials/perennials-by-variety/papaver-poppies/oriental-poppies-papaver-orientale.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Oriental Poppies</a></strong> (<em>Papaver orientale</em>), iconic in cottage gardens and naturalistic plantings, <strong>are superb perennials for brightening up borders and rockeries from May to July</strong>. Easy to grow, their radiant blooms come in shades of red, white, salmon pink, purple, and orange… Their enormous, silky petals – crepe-like, ruffled, double or fringed depending on the variety – famously inspired Impressionist painters like Claude Monet, who filled his Giverny garden with them. </p> <p>The Oriental Poppy is the most celebrated member of the Papaveraceae family, boasting the largest flowers (over 20cm in diameter for varieties like <a href="https://en.promessedefleurs.eu/perennials/perennials-by-variety/papaver-poppies/oriental-poppies-papaver-orientale/papaver-orientale-prinzessin-victoria-louise-oriental-poppy.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">‘Princess Victoria Louise’</a>). After flowering, they develop striking ornamental seed pods perfect for dried arrangements.</p> <p><strong>Highly hardy</strong> (-20 to -30°C), <strong>Oriental Poppies thrive in all climates</strong>. Behind their delicate appearance lies an exceptionally tough plant that tolerates poor, stony soils. <strong>Their only requirements are well-drained soil and full sun</strong>.</p>