Now here’s a change of style from our roadside show-offy red poppies posted earlier in the week: Meconoposis Lingholm, a blue Himalayan poppy. It is a newcomer to the shady, behind-the-shed corner of the Farrell domain. I bought it last autumn on-line from the very excellent Ballyrobert Gardens in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. (It’s amazing what excellent plants people you can discover in the gardening section of ebay.)
The poppy was little more than a large ‘plug’ when it arrived with the rest of my order. I dithered about, wondering whether to pot it on (and worry about it freezing in its pot if we had a hard winter) or to plant it out while it had time to establish itself, but still hope that we wouldn’t have a hard winter. I opted for the latter course, and then it poured with rain for the next five months, with hardly a sign of frost. And so I worried instead that it would get water-logged and rot. When it died down, leaving not one single trace of itself, I thought I’d lost it.
Which just goes to show you can do a lot of worrying about nothing. Besides, I knew very well that I’d taken the best care I could when I planted it. Anyway, the rather hairy leaves started poking through the mulch in April and the single bloom began opening about a week ago with another bud behind it. But what a floral wonder! I’m hoping it’s going to thrive now, though mostly only Graham will get the benefit. I planted it to give him a view from his shed window while he’s grinding and drilling and making odd constructions that only he understands.
Tish Farrell 
Tempted to say almost the loveliest of poppies. Presents also as faint pink sometimes according to the cognoscenti at Longwood Gardens, Pennsylvania. Magnesium in the soil?
Sarah
Yes, now I’ve discovered them, there are a few varieties. I shall investigate further. There’s still some space in the flower bed. As to magnesium in the soil, that’s a good question, Sarah. Another thing to look into. Graham keeps telling me I should do a bit of soil analysis. I have a kit somewhere.
Longwood Gardens not far from Philly breeds the Lingholm and perhaps others and forces them into bloom every March as a Conservatory display. They consider the cultivation of this poppy, which they believe possible but difficult in Northern Hemisphere gardens, to be a very fine skill indeed.
Contact them if you like and have time in between your myriad plant duties about the secrets! Sarah
Thanks for that lovely sounding source of poppy expertise, Sarah.
Being a Himalayan Poppy I wouldn’t have thought a touch of frost would bother it 🤔. A stunning flower and such a lovely colour.
It was only because it was such a young plant that I was worried for it. But you’re right, Brian, it should be able to stand a bit of frost.
Beautiful!
Oh, look at that colour!
It is wonderful isn’t it.
What a beauty and it must have been such a joy to see it coming up when you thought it might be dead!
janet
It was a thrill. I was so surprised that it had survived.
Better than thinking it had made it and having it die!!
Lucky Graham! I love this gorgeous shade of blue and am reminded of a two piece woolen suit my mom made me some 60 years ago. In my memory, it was this exact shade of heavenly blue.
Now you mention it, I remember that blue too and around 60 years ago too. Our guest bedroom at home had poplin curtains and heavy Indian cotton bedspread in just that shade. That woolen suit must have been heavenly – literally 🙂
Yes it was. The story behind it was that I had a bright pink suit which was bought from the Co-op and I loved it so much that mom bought the blue material, totally unpicked the stitching on my pink suit so she could use the pieces as a pattern and then sewed it back up again. She was very industrious, bless her. ❤️
This is a lovely story, Sylvia. Ah, life as we once knew it.
A gorgeous sky blue. And I must join in the memories from 60+ years ago. When I came to NZ and married (at 18!!!) I brought with me a Chanel style, crimpalene 2 piece suit, edged with white and a ridiculous imitation flower bedecked flowerpot shaped hat and white gloves. (The first and only time I wore a hat.) oh the memories that beautiful Poppy brings back.
I’m rather liking the notion of ‘poppy memories’, Pauline. I’m also thinking that Chanel-style suit with flowerpot hat would be quite a treasure these days. Lovely image.
As with my marriage, it isn’t around any more…🤭🙄
Lots of water under our bridges!
Sure is
Oh, so lovely, they are not easy to grow so well done. I might attempt one myself though the S&S might have something to say. I have used Ballyrobert Garden nursery and they are excellent. Cheap postage too. And when I informed them that 3 plants failed to come back this spring they immediately dispatched replacements. Can’t ask for more.
I think Ballyrobert are brilliant. And such a fab range of plants. Am hoping that the drought we’ve been having will keep the S & S at bay long enough for the plant to bulk up a bit. I’m thinking regular mulching with chippings might just help. (or not)
How many petals are there? I can’t tell from the photo if there are three or more. I just have to make one out of paper.
There are four, Beverly, equally spaced. A paper one will be lovely.
Thanks. Hope I can pull this off.
What a gorgeous colour. This is such a hopeful photo and post Tish; thank you.
The texture in those photos is breathtaking.
So beautiful!
Alison
It is, isn’t it.
that is beautiful! 🙂
Reblogged this on Hutts Ultra Blogging World.
Thank you, Pete.
I thought red poppies were my favourite, but now I think I have changed my mind! This is lovely, and well done for looking after it so well. 🙂
Thank you, Elaine.
My poppies are still seedling size!
I tried growing from seed, but it was a complete disaster. Well done you!
oh no, did the slugs or pigeons find them?
Ah, Tish, such a gorgeous blue! Nature never fails, does she?! Wonderful photos.
You’re so right, Marina. Nature does not fail 🙂
🙂😘🤗
So pretty!
I love how you have a story for each photo post, Tish.
I hope the plant survives and Graham can enjoy it!
Hello Saurab. We had a two day tempest after I wrote the post. It blew the petals clean off the poppy, but peaceful weather has now returned, and there’s a new bud forming 🙂
Oh my.
I hope the weather forecast is good for the next few weeks 😅
Tish. I have posted a photo of the paper poppies. Since I don’t know how to give you a link to click you can go here…..Moreinkpleaseblog.com….