jill: Tiffy is our resident expert on WSing the blue poppies. Hers are just gorgeous. BTW, she lives in Canada.

I do know though that they need acid pH soil and I don't think they like hot weather. Your zone might be kind of hot for them.

Where are you, tiffy?

Karen

Meconopsis betonicifolia is a plant of high altitude and cool summers. Zones 2-4 are able to grow it and zones 7-8 ones that coastal, mountain etc. It is easy to grow if your climate mirrors their natural conditions.

Thanks for the compliment Karen. :)

Stillwelljill,

Yes, I have winter sown them. I live in a coastal area of Nova Scotia, Canada sheltered by the woodlands. The poppies took three years to bloom and generally bloom for most of the month of July. Our soil is acidic and our summers are cool compared to most. The poppies get sun until 11 am then dappled shade the rest of the day. The soil never goes dry in this garden, but is not soggy wet either, and it is always cool. It is rich in organic matter, especially leaf mold which the poppies like. (Not rich as in fertilizers which I don't use in the gardens.)

Altitude doesn't really matter to the Blue Poppies, but cool summers and well drained but moist cool acidic soil does matter. There is a garden in Quebec which has the most beautiful gardens full of them and they are on the St. Lawrence River, Zone 4 I believe. They are called Les Jardins De Metis and are also known as the Reford Gardens. No altitude there nor here.

Your Zone 7 might be a challenge simply because of the summer heat and/or the alkalinity of the soil. That is not to say you shouldn't try them if you get seeds. Just plant them in a cool spot on your property, dappled shade all day might be best, and keep the soil moist. You might also try to get a soil test done to see if your soil is acidic or not, then act accordingly.

I have some seeds but they are all spoken for. I only collect one pod every year since I want my plants to 'perennialize'. Basically if you let them go to seed they may not return. This year I divided three plants into 10 and they are all doing well. :O) I also winter sowed more last winter and they are pouting a bit yet I expect them to return.

Dang Tiffy! I want to live in your yard! It sounds so perfect. And I've seen the pics, so I know it is! Someday I hope to say my soil is rich in organic matter, (AND grow blue poppies)!

I spent 4.99 on a package of himalayan blue (contents 6 seeds). Germination on two, but they died ;0( Never got to more than 1/4 inch in height, then pooched.
Decided I can't grow them. New year's resolution..not spending anything on fussy seeds..(I will, however include them with my Santa letter).

I was able to get good germination on the blue poppy seeds that I bought at a gift shop at an arboretum (don't remember where) and they grew well all summer. Planted them out that fall but none returned the next spring. So sad, still thinking of trying again.

Well, rats! I bought meconopsis on sale this summer. I obviously did not do my due diligence. Hot, dry Oklahoma? Rats. I think I'll try growing them inside, at a big window. I can provide the right climate there. Has anyone ever grown meconopsis inside?

Seedmama you crack me up. Thanks for the giggle. I did the same bought them on sale. Tiffy had me going. I have all the right stuff for them. Than I read MNSWGAL minn. Oh drat. If you cant get them to come back maybe me either. But there is hope. I am gonna try them.....Some of my poppies (1st year) I picked them out of the garden not knowing they were perr. Well their are babie poppies there now. Will they survive are cold winter? Oh I am hoping so.. Laurens grape was one of them. I love that poppy....Smile Barb

rosepedal, Lauren's Grape is annual papaver somniferum.

Seedmama, no, not indoors, indoor humidity would not be to their liking at all - and they need a cold (or at least chilly) dormant period of winter.