Scottish Rock Garden Club Forum
Specific Families and Genera => Meconopsis => Topic started by: Ian Y on July 10, 2010, 02:14:39 PM
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The RHS are hosting a trial of Meconopsis at Harlow Carr and Ian Christie has sent us a report of the first assessment which is attached below as a PDF.
Ian will be adding to this report with more details and pictures as his time allows.
[attach=1]
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Dear Ian firstly thanks very much for setting everything up for this report and I look forward to much discussion. The area where the Meconopsis are planted at Harlow Carr is on an undulating mound which looks like an old rock garden a very open site near the stream with large trees on one side about 10 meters away the site is surrounded by established bushes and shrubs. A few of the visitors thought that the site is very exposed to strong wind well I like that as it will show the public that Meconopsis can survive ( I hope) on an open skies site. The ground had been reclaimed from an infestation of Mairs Tail it is a clay base improved with compost, once planted a mulch was added this is called Strulch which is made from miscanthus grass heat treated then nutrients added looks good to me. As the trail will last at least three years the visits for me will most likely be once or twice a year as the distance is just to far for several visits, I am however very grateful to the RHS for agreeing to hold these trials and to Andrew the Gardener and the new very nice young lady curator Elizabeth Balmforth for the first class hospitality. I also thank our friend Mary Randall for being chairperson she will most definately keep us all in order. I will post the pictures of the newly planted area soonest as I must do other things tonight, I look forward to your input, cheers Ian the Christie kind.
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I will now post the Meconopsis pictures taken at Harlow Carr. The first Picture is of Meconopsis 'Slieve Donard' which already has an A.G.M. and an (F.C.C.) this will be the standard plant for comparison and without doubt is a very fine example of what we should aim for.Three plants of each variety were plantd most are the old clones from history which can be divided up these do not set any seed. Four plants are fertile within the group but no seed will be collected, all flowering stems will be removed once the flowers are over. Hand watering when it is dry will be possible with further mulch added in spring.
Meconopsis Slieve Donard AGM..JPG
Meconopsis Bobby Masterton.JPG
Meconopsis Brian Conmay.JPG
Meconopsis P.C. Abilgaard.JPG
Meconopsis Stewart Annand.JPG
Meconopsis Mrs Jebb.JPG
Meconopsis Crewdson Hybrid.JPG
Meconopsis Crarae.JPG
Meconopsis Willie Duncan.jpg
Meconopsis Keillour.JPG
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Next set of pictures
Meconopsis Inverewe.JPG
Meconopsis Marit (white).JPG
Meconopsis Huntfield.JPG
Meconopsis Jimmy Bayne..JPG
Meconopsis Dalemain.JPG
Meconopsis Susans Reward.JPG
Meconopsis Barney's Blue.JPG
Meconopsis Ascreavie.JPG
Meconopsis Lingholm.JPG
Meconopsis Mophead.JPG
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Last set.
Meconopsis Louise.JPG
Meconopsis grandis (ES104).JPG
Meconopsis ex PSW.JPG
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Great for those of us unable to get down to see the trials for ourself to see these pictures Ian.
It will be fascinating to see them in year two and three to see how they perform and which one(s) bulk up the best in the conditions at Harlow.
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Here is the 2011 report from the Harlow Carr Meconopsis Trial, supplied by Ian Christie, followed by his photos
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First photos.....
Meconopsis Ascreavie 1
M. Barney,s Blue 1
M. Bobby Masterton 1
M. Bryan Conway 1
M. Crarae
M. Crewdson Hyb 2
M. Dalemain 1
M. ex PSW 1
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and now....
M. grandis ES104
M. Huntfield 1
M. Inverewe 1
M. Jimmy Bayne 1
M. Keillour 1
M. Lingholm 1
M. Louise 1
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and the last.....
M. Marit 1
M. Mop Head 1
M. Mrs Jebb 1
M. P.C. Abildgaard 1
M. Slieve Donard 1
M. Stewart Annand 1
M. Susans Reward 1
M. Willie Duncan 1
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Meconopsis pages. at last I intend to post text and pictures of what I am doing here at the nursery with the Meconopsis throught the year. I will do this when time permits with not only pictures of plants in the Meconopsis trials at Harlow Carr but other which were not included, I will also post information about other Meconopsis which we grow here.
First and important is we have had twice our annual rainfall up to now which is usually 25 to 30 inches plus we had the most severe gales at the end of May just when plants were almost fully out. About one third of our plants were smashed to bits hardly a leaf left so I have spent the last 6 weeks preparing new beds and moving the plants to an area which is sheltered by a tall hedge. I also have a large tunnell which is covered by a net from April onwards. (pictures below)
The plants which have been split up were planted in raised beds where I added some compost leaf mould and a little blood fish and bone. The pictures below show these beds and the plants which have been split I even put in the flower stems which was all that was left after the gales you will some have produced healthy side shoots others are dead. When I divide the plants I chop 50% of the leaves down this helps to prevent scorch by the sun damage by Botrytis and downy mildew. We do have to water these young plants this can also case problems when very hot so we cover the young plants with netting.
Mec planting_resize.jpg
Mec plants 3_resize.jpg
M. Evelyn 1_resize.JPG
M. Evelyn 2_resize.JPG
M. flower spike runners work_resize.JPG
M. plant remove leaves work_resize.JPG
M. pots 2 work_resize.JPG
M. pots work 1_resize.JPG
M stock 1 work_resize.JPG
M stock work_resize.JPG
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We have quite a bit of damage caused by Botrytis and Mildew this year probably due to the very wet season. I am posting some pictures showing both established plant and young divisions most of the young plants had the leaves chopped down other did not all are showing young side shoots will probably spray around them as the fungus will stay in the soil and cause problems next year. I'm also watching seed pods just now so post two pictures of an odd M. integrifolia hybrid watch this space to see if we get any viable seed, cheers Ian the Christie kind.
Mec bot 1
Mec bot 2
Mec bot 3
Mec bot 4
Mec bot 6_
Mec hybrid at Rons 2
Mec hybrid at Rons 1
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Meconopsis seed pods, I am posting pictures of some different seed pods which are still green will post more to show seed once they are ready. I get asked the most questions about seed and it is probably the most difficult subject here I will show first the fertile seed pods from M. baileyi (betonicifolia) M. grandis M. Lingholm, then I will show pods from M. Jimmy Bayne ( George Sherriff Group) and M. Slieve Donard. ( a hybrid between M. grandis and M. baileyi) the last two may look as if we will get seed but it is very unlikely that what is inside the pods will be viable. We reckon that M. Slieve Donard was where M. Lingholm arose and the plants go back to the 1960s at least maybe longer for some reason this usually sterile plant set some seed even today it will occasionally set few seeds. I find that the seed pods are very interesting as you will see most are hairy except the M. grandis which is smooth M.grandis can also have hairy seed pods. I will also post a few pictures on the next page of a very unusual M. baileyi which was growing this year in a friends garden it has one or two side shoots so maybe will come up again next year?. I forgot to say that all the details and facts about Meconopsis on these pages are my views only and I have no scientific evidence to support any of these views just half a lifetime growing plants., cheers Ian the Christie kind.
M. baileyi pods 5
M. grandis pods 1
M. grandis pods 2
M. Lingholm pods 1
M. Lingholm pods 2
M.J.B. pods 1
M. Slieve pods 1_
M. 'Evelyn' seed pod 1
Mec seed 11
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Hi Ian . Thanks for all the info . The seed pod pictures are very handy for me .
My sympathies re the weather damage . It's very demoralizing when the damage is done and even more demoralizing when you do the cleanup and remedial work . Here in Balcutha, Meconopsis betonicifoila are the most susceptible to wind damage . The flower stems snap two thirds of the way up but still continue to flower lying on the ground . Seed set is not good . This year I am going to place 50mm (2")plastic netting over the plants at 500mm (18") and see what happens . I will also leave plenty of offerings to Huey the Weather God and perhaps he will not repeat last years weather at flowering . It was hot , sunny , dry and windy . Perfect for visiting Scots and almost all Kiwis . There was a party pooper in Balclutha who wanted the normal spring weather eg rain , snow etc .
Meconopsis grandis handled the weather very well and no flower stems were damaged . The seed pods all bald as in your pics
M.Lingholm had a few stems that developed a lean but again no damage .
Just finished weeding the mec beds and will add compost next week before they show their faces next month
Thanks again for taking the time to do pics and posts
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Hi Steve, great to hear from you and I hope you will add more pictures and information about your mecs across the pond. I am posting today another picture of seed showing the good well formed seed and some poor seed at the edge of the picture this will not germinate. I will show more seed later of different mecs. The seed I showed was from a Perennial form of M. punicea which has flowered here since 2005 it is very beautiful maybe not such a striking red as the other form and plants grow quite differently. The flower spike is between 60 to 70 cm high a bit gangly as the flowers are bigger than normal with some having up to 8 petals ( pictures below) I never hand pollinate the flowers, get good seed in most pods. All the seedlings I have raised and flowered are a similar colour, not all are perennial but once you have a plant or two it can be divided up. I will also post today pictures taken in a friends garden of a very unusual M. baileyi which has 2or 3 side shoots I live in hope it will come up the same next year. cheers Ian the Christie kind
M. punicea per 1
Mec baileyi odd 1
Mec baileyi odd 2
Mec baileyi odd 4
M. pun per 1
M pun per 2
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Hi again I forgot to post the pictures of the seed , another close up picture of the M. punicea perennial.
cheers Ian the Christie kind.
Mec seed 1
Medc seed close
mec seed poor_
M.punicea perennial close
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At this time of year we would expect our meconopsis to be going dormant, the very wet months of August and September have resulted in plants still looking very lush if fact I have never seen all our plants looking so green. The monsoon rain and late sunshine recently has even brought a few plants into flower most of these I have removed as they will draw strength from the roots usually the flowering rosette will die who knows what the winter will bring?. I am posting some late flowers, it is not just meconopsis but Anemone trullifolia and one trillium a Hellebore I am sure most of you will be seeing the same, cheers Ian the Christie kind.
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Hi to all, well we have started a New year with our seed sowing this is something I always do on 1st of January just a few pots to welcome another growing year. I have sown lots of pots since most get sown on deep pots as this allows the roots to get down instead of spreading outwars getting tangled up with others we can usually leave seedlings in these pots longer but if seedlings get very big then we will move them on. I have sown Liliums, and Nomocharis Glaucidiums and Fritillarias these are quite big seeds so are covered with a good layer of grit Ihave also tried covering seed with Perlite now this is a very light material so these pots are kept inside, I think that light will get through the perlite easier which will help germination must do some trials we find that any moss or liverwort is easily removed from the Perlite. I take Meconopsis seed place in an empty margarine tub or container add a little fungicide and mix together this coats the seed with the white powder allowing you to see how much seed is sown one big problem is sowing seed to thickly makes it very difficult to prick out. It is also VERY important to use gloves when using any fungicide or chemical then wash your hands, Perlit and Vermiculite Must be watered well before use as the dust is harmfull be carefull. I will post some pictures when possible, cheers Ian the Christie kind.
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Ian - Can you give us a run down on how to proceed with pots of sown Nomocharis seed? Cold period or warm first or immediate sprouters? I had beginner's luck in 1986 and 1993 but I haven't had much luck sprouting them as of late.
johnw
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Hi all, I will post some pictures now of seed and seed sown in pots I have sown two identical pots of seed and covered one with Vermiculite the other has not been covered so we will see which grows best if any?.
John I am also posting some pictures of the Nomocharis and Lilums which are sown in big pots so we know where they are I also sow some directly on a prepared seed bed. I sow seed then cover with good clean 5mm gravel then I take a piece of fleece place this over the seed pots and tie under the rim they look like Christmas puddings but this keeps out voles and mice which will eat all your seed this method works for Hellebores Erythroniums Daphnes and many more, the other benefit is that once seed has germinated just pull up the fleece gently allowing the seed space to grow this keeps out snails and slugs who just love young seedlings. I place all seed pots outside with no protection this stays out until the seed has germinated then we bring the pots inside under cover to grow on.
Method 2 if you stay in an area where you do not get frost take the Nomocharis or Lilies mix with some damp Perlit or Vermiculite put some seed mix in a zip lock bag and place in a fridge for a month or so if we collect seed in Sept we would do this as soon as it is ripe the seed will germinate in the bag just sow with care and keep under cover we would cover these young seedling with fleece in case of frost. I hope this helps and if you want some seed let me know, cheers Ian the Christie kind
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Have had problems sending the pictures try again, cheers Ian.
Mec seed 1
Mec seed covered.J
Mec seed pot 1.
Seed Pots 1
Seed Pots 2
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Thanks so much for the postings Ian. I will sow and store in the cold room which is between 4-6c and place outside in March when the freezes are not so severe.
I have just sown Lilium souliei seed from Bjornar and wonder if the same treatment is appropriate?
johnw - +2c and spitting snow, -8c tonight and heavy rain tomorrow.
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Hi all, I am sure this is not the page to list my new web site but as it has quite a few pictures of Meconopsis just have a look please http://ianchristiealpines.com cheers Ian the Christie kind.
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Hello all. we have had one of the most difficult years for Meconopsis, the weather had been erratic to say the least first we were roasted in Feb/March all the plants were growing so fast and the seedlings looked like the were going to burn up. On 2nd 3rd of April we had a snowstorm with around 6 inches of snow then a minus 5.5 some days that week the well advanced Meconopsis leaves were smashed and broken several plants which had shown flower buds tried to flower but only reached about a foot then these just curled up. The past 10 days have been very wet and cold some plans did recover but are not looking happy and seedlings have been frosted or drowned the surviving few are now under cover. We often moan about the weather but this year has really been the worst what should we expect next?. I will add some pictures once the Forum posting is set up again, cheers Ian.
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Hello, at last I have a little spare time this spring has been very busy I have visited many groups as a speaker and the days have flown past plus it is important when you are awy to catch up with the garden when you come home. I have said earlier that this has been one of our worst springs for years the weather has been so erratic. I have managed to get some Meconopsis seedlings going which have been under cover most of those outside were either fried up in March or drowned this month. Our established plants have also had a very hard time they started to grow very early then they were covered in snow at the beginning of April I now see the results of that storm and the hard frost which followed. The Meconopsis are producing flower spikes which are only 25cm to 30 cm high with one flower this is not good I have removed some of these malformed flower spikes in hope that more good ones will come, the flowers are beginning to open on some plants again very short and so early. We have had some sunshine over the weekend but I fear more rain and cold winds are yet to come. I will now post several pages of pictures of plants in the garden, will be back soon. cheers Ian the Christie kind The last picture is M. betonicifolia from a wild collection it is going to flower so will see if it is different.
Mec seedlings 1
Mec seedlings 2
M. Ascreavie
M. Evelyn
M. G. S. group
M. grandis new
M. Lingholm
Mec Inverewe
M punicea per.
M. bet new 2
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Hello again here are some pictures showing the Meconopsis with malformed or short flowers with the first flower almost open. tomorrow is the first of May never seen any flowers so early before cheers Ian.
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Hi all well what a diferencs a day makes with a litle sunshine we now have at least 6 meconopsis in flower again very short these are Meconopsis Mop Head and Meconopsis Strathspey grandis type the Strathspey is very purple and it is usually one of the darkest blues we have I guess it is lack of sunlight even the Mec Mop head are veyr different. cheers Ian the Christie kind
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Plants are growing fast now we have some better weather, I have had to come inside as we have a monsoon deluge now with hail hope it goes away quick, A few pictures from the garden today, cheers Ian the Christie kind.
M grandis
M grandis 1
M grandis flower bud
M grandis head_
M hyb white
M x cookei old rose
M x cookei satin_
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The snow came on heavy yesterday along with more rain later very cold today heaven knows what w will get next. The first flowers are open on Meconopsis punicea the flower stems are only abaout 8inches high so the flowers are right down amongst the foliage most unusual, picture from today, Ian the Christie kind
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Yet another day with heavy rain and so cold the plants are still trying to flower, I have a real odd one today Meconopsis simplygrand a hybrid between M. simplicifolia and M. grandis not easy to please but it is perennial. We also have the first flowers on Meconopsis punicea the Perennial form and a large group of M. quintuplinervia cheers Ian the Christie kind
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Hello all, the Meconopsis continue to flower with more each day, I am posting several pictures of Meconopsis Strathspey a grandis type from a PSW collection. The flowers have opened over the last few days and they are a very unusual pink in years past this plant has produced the darkest blue flowers, we had a little sunshine at the weekend so you will see from the pictures what this has produced, cheers Ian the Christie kind
M. Strathspey 1
M. Strathspey 2
M. Strathspey 3
M. Strathspey 4
M. Strathspey 5
Mec Mop Head open
M Huntfield 3
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'Huntfield' is lovely- what a blue!
Ian, what does "PSW" stand for, please?
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Hello Maggie it is for Polunin Sykes and Williams who collected the plant around 1956 it is a Mec. grandis which is now sterile sets no seed The Meconopsis Group decided to name with agreement from Jim Gauld who lives in Aberdeen he got plants from Jack Drakes nursery and kept it going by dividing it up. I would like it to be Meconopsis grandis Strathspey not Meconopsis Strathspey grandis type but who am I to disagree with Meconopsis Group. cheers Ian the Christie kind
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Hello another very stormy day with a biting cold wind, I am posting a picture of my group of Meconopsis Strathspey grandis type showing the colour range the dark blue ones opened recently as we had a little sunshine yes sunshine, cheers Ian the Christie kind
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I spent some time over the weekend potting some Meconopsis seedlings which have been very slow to get going, in one picture I pricked out some M. integrifolia and M. baileyi in the same tray to show how different seedlings can be. I have also noticed some other seedlings are at last germinating hope to at least get some to overwinter especially M. tibetica which is very new only a few seedlings. I am keeping the potted seedlings in a cool shaded glasshouse as the weather we have at the moment is wild windy and very wet. Please note that the pots of seedlings are covered with fairly large grit this has not prevented good germination for me it helps to stop moss and weeds. The Meconopsis punicea perennial form are the best so far they did germinate first, not all these seedlings will be perennial plants but those that are can easily be divided, cheers Ian the Christie kind.
M. punicea perennial_resize.JPG
M. paniculata_resize.JPG
M. Lingholm_resize.JPG
M. integrifolia M. baileyi_resize.JPG
011_resize.JPG
012_resize.JPG
013_resize.JPG
014_resize.JPG
015_resize.JPG
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Hello all, I have been very busy with Gardening Scotland what a superb effort from the team.I visited the trials at Harlow twice already with one visit to Holehird. The plants at Harlow suffered badly from the very dry March and looked really sick on the 17th May thank fully the rain came and plants recovered remarkably to produce flowers for the next visit on 29th May all the George Sherriff Group are so late we are to visit again on 13th June so will post the pictures and report then. The plants at Holehird were superb and the whole garden is run by volunteers a realy wonderful garden do visit if you are near Widermere. My own plants are now stunning which is hard to believe with such a foul month in April I removed all the early flower spikes which were about 30cm high and only one flower that was malformed a little feeding was given and we now have the best show with most now in flower except my George Sherriff group are late as well. More news and pictures as soon as possible, cheers Ian the Christie kind
Mec Broughty ferry 1.jpg
Mec Crewdson group.jpg
Mec Evelyn1.jpg
Mec Huntfield groiup.jpg
Mec Inverewe.JPG
Mec Mrs Jebb 2.jpg
Mec S.D heads group.jpg
Mec Willie Duncan.jpg
Mec Planting 1.jpg
Mec Planting 2.jpg
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I've just received, from Ian the Christie Kind, this report from the ongoing Mec. Trial. He will be adding photos from the trials when he can.
2012 Mec Trial Report : [attachurl=1]
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Thank you Maggie as always your help is appreciated. Meconopsis Trials 2012, I visited Harlow Carr Gardens 3 times this year to observe the plants first visit was on 17th May, we arrived to see the plants looking very sad they had suffered badly with the weather first was the dry hot spell in March then the cold wet and windy time in April. Some plants were looking o/k but I did wonder how many would survive until our next visit which was on the 30th May. Our garden contact is Andrew Willocks he and his team had done a great job adding a bit more water to plants it is surprising how well the Meconopsis had recovered, we must also thank Elizabeth Balmforth curator at Harlow for her input for these trials. RHS trials officer from Wisley Andrew Mcseveney has also been greatly supportive in fact he came up to visit all the Meconopsis gardens in Scotland we wanted him to see just how well Meconopsis could grow then we went to Harlow on 13th June to judge the plants. We we indeed treated to some superb plants in flower Andrew Willocks had liquid fed them which made a big improvement some had finished flowering a few had died but the rest were worth the visit. I also visited Holehird on 29th May where the Meconopsis were superb probably a higher rainfall, every plant in the garden looked great run by local volunteers well done to them do visit if you are near this garden. I will add pictures probably over 3 pages, cheers Ian the Christie kind
M. Slieve Donard_resize_resize.jpg
M. Bobby Masterton_resize_resize.jpg
M. Bryan Conway_resize_resize.jpg
M. P.C. Abildgaard_resize_resize.jpg
M. Stuart Annand_resize_resize.jpg
M. Mrs Jebb._resize_resize.jpg
M. Crewdson Hyb_resize_resize.jpg
M. Crarae_resize_resize.jpg
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Next 8 pictures.
M. Willie Duncan_resize_resize.jpg
M. Keillour_resize_resize.jpg
M. Inverewe_resize_resize.jpg
M. Marit_resize_resize.jpg
M. Huntfield_resize_resize.jpg
M. Jimmy Bayne_resize_resize.jpg
M. Dalemain_resize_resize.jpg
M. Susans Reward_resize_resize.jpg
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Final set from Harlow.
M. Barney's Blue
M. Ascreavie
M. Lingholm
Meconopsis Mop Head
M. Louise
M. grandis Himal Skies
M. grandis Strathspey
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I will now post two pictures taken on 30th May at Harlow showing the flowers which at that time unfortunately Mec. grandis #Strathspey did not make it. One pic is M. Marit and one id M. grandis Himal Skies. cheers Ian the Christie kind
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Those members interested in Himalayan blue poppies may like prior warning of a Meconopsis Open Day on Monday 3rd June at Harlow Carr.
Speakers will be Evelyn Stevens, Andrew Willocks who is in charge of the Mecs at Harlow Carr and a practical demo by Ian Christie, sponsored by SRGC.
This programme will be repeated in the afternoon with the exception of Andrew's presentation..
Guided tours of the Harlow Carr Alpine House and the Meconopsis trial will be available morning and afternoon.
The charge is £20 for RHS members, £25 for non-members and booking details will be announced later.
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Do you have any times for this event or contact details, email
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Not yet, Kevin.
Details will be given here when those become available , as well as the booking contact when that is in place.
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Booking is now open for the Harlow Carr Meconopsis Event via the RHS : telephone 0845 612 1253
Timetable for the day:
Tea and coffee from 09.30, lecture at 10.00, lunch break 12.30, conducted tours alternating with the lecture programme which is scheduled to end at 16.15.
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Hello all, we visited the Meconopsis trials at Harlow on Monday, had a strong contingent from Scotland it was a busy day as I had the Meconopsis workshop in the morning around 40 people attended quite a few good comments. The judging team arrived at 1.30 at the trial beds plants were looking good with the extra plants put in last summer growing well unfortunately very few plants were in flower so we could not make any awards it is suggested we go back down again on 12th of June a pain really as it is a long drive will stay overnight on the Tuesday as I need a clear head to cope with all the others attending. I will send a full report hopefully after that meeting pictures as well, cheers Ian the Christie kind
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Hello all, we had a very constructive day at Harlow for the Meconopsis trials judgement day, 6 members came down from Scotland and 4 from the South. The plants were looking so much better thanks to Andrew Willocks and Aimee-Beth. In the summer of last year it was decided to plant another three plants of each clone so this would give a better display, unfortunately many of the new plants were not established enough o produce flowers. We awarded 11 plants AGM but at this time I am not allowed to say which as RHS need to confirm these awards and we must be respectful of their wishes. I am pleased with this result and also disappointed that some missed out but I realise that we should only select the best. I will post the pictures in batches then let you all know the results once confirmed, cheers Ian the Christie kind.
M. Slieve Donard
M. Bobby Masterton
M. Brian Conway
M. PC Abidgaard
M. Stuart Annand_
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Next set, Ian
M. Mrs Jebb Harlow
M. Crewdson Hyb Harlow
M. Crarae Harlow
M. Willie Duncan 1
M. Keillour Harlow_
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More, Ian
M. Inverewe Harlow
M. Marit
M. Huntfield Harlow
M. Jimmy Bayne
M. Dalemain
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Next, Ian
M. Susans Reward
M. Barney's Blue
M. Ascreacie
M. Ling holm
M. Mop Head
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Last few, Ian
M. Louise
M. grandis Himal Skies
M. grandis Strathspey
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The Trial pictures are as follows which are how they are in the Trials, M. Slieve Donanrd,M. Bobby Masterton, M. Brian Conway M. Stuart Annand, M. Mrs Jebb, M/ Crewdson Hybrid, M. Crarea, M. Willie Duncan, M. Keillour, M.Inverewe, M. Marit. M. Huntfield, M. Jimmy Bayne. M. Dalemain, M. Susans Rerward, M. Barney's Blue, M. Ascreavie, M. Lingholm, M. Mophead, M. Louise, M. grandis Himal Skies, M. grandis Strathspey. As seen in the pictures some have done very well while other are poor the season has been difficult for all plants and this is evident for the Mecomnopsis however all decisions were taken by the group and votes were quite consistent I am happy that we have selected only the best, cheers Ian the Christie kind.
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I am greatly indebted to Jenny Wells for the following photos which show the status of the Meconopsis from the 2010-2013 trial at Harlow Carr - taken this week.
Jenny works at the The Himalayan Garden & Sculpture Park (http://www.himalayangarden.com)
which has a wonderful range of Rhododendron and other Himalayan plants, including, of course, Primula and Meconopsis. (Opened in 2005, The Himalayan Garden, and Sculpture Park (Grewelthorpe, Ripon, HG4 3DA) is a 20 acre woodland garden in a spectacular setting approximately 6 miles from Masham and Ripon. The garden has a fabulous array of plants cloaking the steep hillsides from the valley floor up to the house which sits at 850ft above sea level. The garden is home to an extensive collection of rare Rhododendrons and Himalayan plants, nestled among mass plantings of showy hybrids.)
Jenny is a passionate about her work plants and makes the most of every chance to visit other gardens too. She is a keen photographer and is never without her camera and so we are able to benefit form her visit the other day to Harlow Carr (https://www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/harlow-carr).
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Meconopsis Trial beds
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'Bobby Masterton'
[attachimg=3]
'Crarae'
[attachimg=4]
'Crarae' 2
[attachimg=5]
'Marit'
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'Crewdson Hybrid' x 3
[attachimg=1]
[attachimg=2]
[attachimg=3]
'Inverewe' x2
[attachimg=4]
[attachimg=5]
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more of Meconopsis 'Inverewe'
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[attachimg=2]
[attachimg=3]
[attachimg=4]
[attachimg=5]
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Meconopsis ' Keillour'
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[attachimg=2]
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[attachimg=4]
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Does 'Inverewe' grow less exposed than the others? It's the only one that looks good, the others look like they've been though a tornado...
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'Mrs Jebb' x 2
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'Abildgaard' x 3
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Does 'Inverewe' grow less exposed than the others? It's the only one that looks good, the others look like they've been though a tornado...
The plants shown so far are growing on the streamside of the path - those on the woodland side of the path will come shortly - - I think it is clear that 'Inverewe' is a really good "do-er" - but there has been a tremendous amount of wild , windy weather lately, so it is not surprising that a lot of plants are looking a tad "windswept" !
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'Slieve Donard' x 2
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'Stewart Annand'
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'Mop Head'
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Streamside bed 1
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Streamside bed 2
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'Willie Duncan'
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Streamside bed with woodland bed on other side
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Moving now to the woodland side bed
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'Barney's Blue' x 3
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'Dalemain'
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Meconopsis grandis ES104
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'Huntfield'
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'Jimmy Bayne'
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'Louise'
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Meconopsis grandis ex PSW x 4
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Last three are of 'Susan's Reward'
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Again, I send very grateful thanks to Jenny Wells for sharing these photos with us. 8)
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Hello, many thanks for these superb pictures the Meconopsis are looking great I met Andrew Willocks the gardener at Harlow Carr he came to the SRGC stand at Gardening Scotland he told me that the Meconopsis had been moved to this new area again thanks for the pictures, cheers Ian the Christie kind
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Yes, nice pictures.
Sometimes Meconopsis in southern gardens can look a bit etiolated. The Barney's Blue photos here are quite a good example. Is this the effect of high temperatures, or too much shade (they are almost invariably grown as 'woodland plants' in S Britain)?
Tristan.
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I had a huge plant of Evelyn Steven's Grandis intruduction back in Norway, quite purple if I remember correctly, surprised these haven't developed better. Could it have been a different ES number, or is there only one? 'Dalemain' looks like an excellent cultivar!
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Hello, yes several M. grandis with E.S numbers are in cultivation also good seed is distributed by The Meconopsis Group in the autumn as you would expect some die in the first year but others are very good, cheers Ian the Christie kind