Culture
Grow in loose, peaty, moderately rich, slightly acidic, very well-drained but evenly moist soils in part shade. Plants prefer cool humid shade in woodland-like conditions, with summer temperatures typically occurring below 80 degrees F. and with winter temperatures remaining mild. Part shade helps insulate plants from the heat of the sun. During the growing season, soils must not be allowed to dry out. However, soils must have superior drainage and some dryness in winter to prevent the onset of root rot. Plants produce viable seed and can be grown from seed, but seeds are usually very difficult to germinate. Snip off flowering stems to prevent bloom in the first year (plants need to concentrate energies in establishing good root systems). Clumps will slowly spread by offsets in optimum growing conditions. This poppy does not thrive in the hot summer climate of St. Louis and is not recommended for growing here.
Noteworthy Characteristics
Menocopsis is a genus of about 45 species of annuals, biennials, and deciduous or evergreen perennials from the Himalayas, Myanmar and China. One species if found in Western Europe.
Genus name comes from the Greek words mekon meaning a poppy and opsis meaning likeness or appearance.
'Lingholm' is a hybrid perennial poppy that is noted for producing large deep sky blue poppy flowers (to 4" across) in late spring. Flowers are shallowly cup-shaped and borne on pedicils in the upper leaf axils. Established plants typically grow to 3-4' tall on stems rising from a basal rosette of bristly, lanceolate, medium green leaves (to 12" long). Young leaves and plant stems are covered with rusty brown hairs. Spent flowers give way to narrow seed pods. 'Lingholm' is a fertile hybrid that may be grown, albeit with some difficulty, from seed. It was discovered in 1996 at Lingholm Gardens, Portinscale near Keswick in northwestern England. Parents of this hybrid are M. betonicifolia (Tibetan blue poppy) and M. grandis (Himalayan blue poppy). Parents are native to shady mountain areas, mountain meadows, slopes and woodlands in the Himalayas and western China.
Problems
No serious insect or disease problems. Downy mildew. Slugs and snails. Root rot often develops in poorly drained soils. Difficult to grow.
Uses
Impressive flowering poppy for part shade areas of the garden.