Welsh Poppy | Meconopsis cambrica

Description

Botanical Information: Welsh Poppy

Welsh poppies are slender, hairy, perennials with an impressive tap-root to anchor it in place. From spring to autumn, delicate flowers with four, overlapping,  orange to yellow petals can be seen popping up all over its preferred habitats. Poppies do not produce nectar, but still offer protein-packed pollen as an alterative food source for insects. The leaves of Welsh poppies are light green with a lacy, deeply divided structure.

Habitat

Welsh poppies can be found growing in damp, shady and rocky places but also in hedgerows and damp woodland. It is good at colonising gaps in rocks and stone, sometimes you can see it growing out of walls! It likes moist but well-drained soils in areas with partial shade.

Benefits to Wildlife

Although there are no insects which exclusively rely on Welsh poppies, the pollen which they produce are still a valuable source of food for many invertebrate species, including bees, beetles and butterflies.

Conservation Status in the UK

Welsh poppy is listed on the IUCN Red List as Least Concern. Its ability to colonise urban structures has allowed it to thrive in the UK. Originally native to the damp woodlands of south west England and Wales, it is now widespread across the UK as a garden escape.

Ease of Growing

Plant your Welsh poppies in a sheltered area with partial shade and moist but well drained soil. Water regularly if there is drought.

More Information

The Wildflower Trusts

Wildflower Web

Complementing Species

Monkshood | Aconitum napellus

Water Avens | Geum rivale

Water Figwort | Scrophularia umbrosa

ALL WILDFLOWERS