Welsh Poppies (Meconopsis cambrica)

Today I spotted the first flowers of the Welsh Poppy in my garden. This is a self seeding, short lived perennial which will grow in practically any type of soil and any position, unlike other Menocopsis species which require moist soil and light shade. It grows to approximately 12 inches in height and spread, having deeply dissected mid green leaves and producing yellow or orange flowers between June and September.
I planted the Welsh poppy in my garden a couple of years ago but the original plant did not survive for long due to a particularly cold winter. However, it has self seeded and I now have a healthy looking clump of deep amber flowers in the border. While dead heading will prolong the flowering season, it is worth leaving one or two seed heads in place in order to collect the seed and sow it as soon as it ripens in August or September. Sow the seeds under glass and overwinter the seedlings in a well ventilated greenhouse or cold frame ready to plant out in spring. Seeds can be sown in spring but germination is slower. These vibrantly coloured flowers look stunning when planted alongside bluebells.