Meconopsis cambrica var. aurantiaca

Mecanopsis cambrica var. aurantiaca flower (16/07/2011, London)

Position: Partial shade

Soil: Moist, well drained soil

Flowering period: Summer

Eventual Height: 45cm

Eventual Spread: 30cm

Hardiness: 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a

Family: Papaveraceae

Meconopsis cambrica var. aurantiaca is a deciduous perennial with a clump forming habit. Its fern like foliage is light green and pinnately lobed. In late spring it will bear deep orange or lemon yellow, bowl shaped, terminal, hermaphroditic flowers on tall leafless stems.

The species Meconopsis cambrica, commonly known as the Welsh Poppy, is native to western Europe, including the UK. In its native habitat it grows in damp shady locations, often on rock ground. In 2006 the Welsh party Plaid Cymru began using a stylised version of it as their logo.

The etymological root of the binomial name Meconopsis is derived from the Greek, mekon meaning ‘poppy’ and opsis meaning ‘looks like’. Cambrica is derived from the Latin from the classical name of Wales, Cambria, meaning ‘of or from Wales’.

Mecanopsis cambrica var. aurantiaca (16/07/2011, London)

Meconopsis cambrica var. aurantiaca may be useful to the landscape architect as part of a low maintenance native wildflower. Care should be taken in locating this plant as it can naturalise in cracks in pavement and is particularly suited to spread in an urban environment.

As a native flowering plant, Meconopsis cambrica will have a large and positive ecological impact, attracting native fauna such as honey bees and butterflies, beetles feed on the seed capsules and this plant is exceptionally attractive as food for terrestrial gastropods.

Meconopsis cambrica var. aurantiaca will tolerate many soil conditions; it will be happy at neutral or acid pH levels, in loam, sand or clay based soils facing any sheltered aspect.

Meconopsis cambrica var. aurantiaca requires no maintenance.