Meconopsis, Papaver cambricum 'Welsh Poppy'

Recently renamed Papaver cambricum, formerly known as Meconopsis cambrica and often simply called 'The Welsh Poppy', this tap-rooted perennial is very easy to grow and reliably perennial. With light green, lobed leaves, the delicate cup-shaped 5 to 7cm (2 to 3in) golden-yellow flowers are borne in abundance from late spring to early autumn.

Unlike many other poppies it will grow in both fairly dry and in damp conditions, but do best in moderately rich, woodland soil in shade or part shade. The plants look best when grown in drifts under a light canopy of trees or between large shrubs. The best way to get a good colony established is to plant a few pot-grown plants, allow them to self-seed, which they do happily in good growing conditions, and then leave the seedlings where they come up naturally. Its ideal site is in shade with acid soil
Papaver cambricum is a native plant which has been planted in gardens, rather than a garden escape. As with other poppies, the flowers provide pollen for bees. Beetles feed in the seed capsules and some species may overwinter here when the capsules are empty.
This is an undemanding perennial in many climates and is particularly valued by those gardening where other poppies are less easy to please.

Sowing: February to May or September to October.
Place seed on the surface of a good free draining compost and cover with a very fine sprinkling of compost or vermiculite.
Seal container inside a polythene bag and place outdoors in a coldframe or sheltered corner. Keep the compost moist and protect from heavy rain but not frost.
Germination can take a few weeks or several months. Do not throw away the containers too soon, Meconopsis has multiple dormancies and may not germinate until at least one winter has passed. Once germinated, place at 10 to 15°C (50 to 59°F) and water carefully from the base of the container to avoid damping off problems.
Transplant into 7.5cm (3in) pots once seedlings have two true leaves. Grow on in cooler conditions, with shade from strong sunlight. When well grown, plant 45cm (18in) apart in deep, moist loam in a sheltered, partially shaded position

Cultivation:
In warm dry summers it will simply die back to the ground and resprout from the taproot when conditions are suitable. Extremely cold hardy, in cool summers or with plenty of water, it will continue to produce flowers right through to the first frosts.
Meconopsis cambricum is perennial but short-lived, but when happy will self-seed prolifically.
At the end of the season, leave a few plants to die down and self seed. Others can be pulled up and composted.

Plant Uses:
Cottage/Informal Garden, Flowers Borders and Beds, Low Maintenance, Wildflower Gardens or Wildlife Gardens, Woodland Gardens.

Origin:
Meconopsis cambricum is a native plant which has been planted in gardens, rather than a garden escape.
The species have two distinct ranges. This single species, Meconopsis cambricum is indigenous to England, Wales, Ireland, and the Western seaboard of Europe. It is widely naturalised on moist rocky banks, stream sides and waste ground. The other 40 or so (depending on classification) species are found in the Himalayan mountain range in Asia.

Nomenclature:
The genus name Papaver is the classical Latin name for the poppy in the family Papaveraceae, the Poppy family.
The specific epithet cambricum means 'Welsh', from the Latinized form of Cymru, the Welsh name for Wales.
Recently renamed , it was originally classified as Meconopsis cambricum and formerly Meconopsis cambrica, it may still be referred to as such in older texts.
The name Meconopsis is from the Greek mekon meaning 'poppy', and opsis which indicates a resemblance, so meaning 'resembling a poppy'.