Meconopsis quintuplinervia

Meconopsis is a genus of plants in the poppy family, the most common of which grown in Britain are the Welsh poppy, Meconopsis cambrica, and the Himalayan blue poppy, Meconopsis betonicifolia. The flowers are a similar shape and structure to true poppies, but they can be identified as meconopsis by their seedheads. Rather than 'pepper pot' seedheads typical of true poppies, meconopsis seedheads are thin and long.

The harebell poppy, Meconopsis quintuplinervia, is native to the mountainous regions of Tibet and China. It bears straw-coloured, hairy leaves and bowl-shaped, nodding lilac-blue flowers, from late spring to summer. It can be easy to grow when given the right conditons – moist but well-drained soil is a must, and it does best when divided every couple of years. Plant in a partially or fully shaded spot with shelter from cold, drying winds. Sow seed in autumn.