Some morning sun and afternoon shade is good for any variety - even here, afternoon summer sun can be a bit too intense for them. And they like a richly organic, well-draining soil that stays consistently moist (not wet). Good luck!! I've tried many varieties many times and the best I could do is consider them as exotic (and expensive!) 'annuals' :-) Except for Meconopsis napaulensis, which doesn't flower for several seasons, then promptly croaks as soon as it does. And isn't blue.

Hippie Chick & CharlotteV please check your email. I now have a couple of trades, of seed from the Blue Poppies, which have not been promised to anyone as yet. I am still collecting seed, though itÂs getting near the end, maybe one or two more trades. For those with whom I definitely made arrangements, the seed has gone out in the mail. BTW my ISP has been on strike and I lost Internet access briefly. Hopefully there wonÂt be any further difficulty. Ian

Thanks for all the positive energy from you all! They have to make it now. :0) I guess some seeds just like to hang out in the freezer for a while. They need the chill to germinate. I didn't chill the first two packs. I had the same thing happen with my Milk Chocolate Foxglove. No luck germinating until I put the seeds in the freezer. There is also only 20 seeds in a poppy pack, so I guess I'm not doing that bad after all. (Even the seeds for these are expensive.) Unfortunately, if you want them to be a perennial, you can't let them bloom the first year. If they all make it, I think I will let some bloom though, and save a couple. Then I will have seeds to share with all of you!

Hi Bill, I do remember the photos you posted of your new renovation and I was quite impressed with the job you did. The whole project came out great. Lots of good ideas and execution. AND, it looks like low maintenance in many ways too. I will look forward to seeing your new space mature. The catcus in one location didn't do well over the winter last year but I still had a patch of them in the fall. I've been immersed in one project or another that has kept me out of the garden. I barely have had a chance to even walk around the yard since summer, so I haven't noticed what the cactus are doing. I'm hoping that no snow cover and mild temps were good for them this year, but we have had some very cold temps with no snow cover. Thanks for the reminder, I'll have to check them out next time I'm out and I'll let you know. I can't believe it is almost February! Spring is right around the corner and I can't wait!