How Do We Grow the Rare Blue Poppy?

Only once a year can you see the sky blue blooms of our highly anticipated Himalayan blue-poppies (Meconopsis ‘Lingholm’) in our Conservatory. Listen as our Director of Floriculture and Conservatories, Jim Harbage, P.h.D. and Senior Grower, Patti Stefanick explain how our talented horticulturists force these rare beauties to flower.

Longwood Gardens is the living legacy of Pierre S. du Pont, inspiring people through excellence in garden design, horticulture, education, and the arts.

[margaretcampbell]

I live in NZ, found this site as I was interested in growing the Blue Poppy. I've grown many variety of poppies.
Someone locally is selling the seeds, gosh the Blue Poppies are stunning. I know that they are grown by some Green fingers down South Island.

[luzvigerminal]

First time I seen a Himalayan blue poppy today. My 3 plants that I sowed from seed it just open today and they are so beautiful.

[JLewTravels]

Truly amazing flower. Glad I was able to see it this past weekend and share it on my channel for everyone to see. Cannot wait to come back again.

[nitinroy]

I would advice all to visit the VALLEY OF FLOWERS in the Indian provience of uttarakhand in himalayas where these flowers grow in the valley remains closed in winter due to heavy


Also visit the SINGBA RHODODENDRON SANCTUARY in the Indian provience of sikkim in also remains closed in winter for heavy snow...

[lisathornton]

Beautiful. I just saw them at the Conservatory on Friday. Being a new photography learner my images of them kept turning out blurry😩 but, will be back in a few weeks so I hope the blue poppies are still thriving and I hope to have my act together by then📸💦💙🍃

[PixelGem]

I just got some seeds, I cant wait to grow them

[capitaobravo]

I live in Southern Brazil. I'm trying now to grow this beautiful flower 🙂

[bellarosa]

So beautiful!! These might be a good source for winter sowing! Thank you for a great video!!

[gamingwithkev]

Man they are gorgeous but so tough to grow but they I don't give up because I'm the type that loves a challenge plus I've gotten them to germinate my second time around placing them in my plant pot and easily within 2 days in my seed starter pot I plan on getting peat pots to place directly in my growing box instead if using the trays which make transporting poppies tough. My himmies (I call them) are still up and very healthy but are taking a very long time to grow past their germination stage. I have some Pale Rose Peonies growing with them and don't think I should've done that because I believe Himalayans should be grown alone due to the fact they require so much more than most poppies but I do have some extras I ordered and will separate both from each other this time. I also read they should not be grown in direct sunlight but partial shade in good well draining soil that's kept moist which can be done by using good potting mix that contains Coco Coir that helps with maintaining moisture in soil and is how I got mines to grow. I hear it can take up to 2 years for them to reach full maturity?

[Chrisdvc]

Amazing flower. Where would I get some of these seeds?

[botanicaltreasures]

I first saw these growing in Akureyri Botanical Garden in Iceland.

[miastela]

It’s awesome! Thanks for sharing! Like🌸

[dianaalbers]

wow the leaves are so not like a normal poppy.. I need to try to grow these beauties..

[onetwocue]

My property in the PNW has a bunch of them. I also have the purple variety. I hate the weather in the PNW but sometimes when I look at what can grow, it makes me feel a bit better. The joke of the PNW is growing tomatoes. I had to learn how to make fried green tomatoes.

[Whipporwhill]

What is your source for the plugs you order in?

[gamingwithkev]

It took 3 days for mine to germinate but now they are taking forever to grow. They are very stubborn. I wish they could be easy because they are extremely gorgeous plants but rough😕

[leothawoodson]

Wonderful great health benefits how can I receive the seeds

[jennamccleery]

What time of year do you have these blooming in the conservatory?

[TheVintageGardenerNJ]

I saw them this past Sunday. The video doesn't really do them justice.

[MapleJames]

A true blue is the rarest color in a flower. It's always either a purple or indigo, but never a true blue.