The sunshine and dry weather is meant to be coming to an end tomorrow (Saturday) with some welcome rain. Who would have thought that I would have “welcome” and “rain” in the same sentence. We are normally wishing it would stop! There is a possibility of warm weather returning after a week of unsettled weather according to the forecast. I apologise for a complete focus on meconopsis and primulas this week, but my two favourite genera are now in flower.
This is the first time I have actually bought meconopsis plants as I have previously always raised them from seed. Meconopsis ‘Crarae’ comes from Crarae Gardens Argyll, Scotland. It is an infertile hybrid and therefore only propagated vegetatively. I had seen it in Scotland several years ago and have always wanted one, so that, coupled with my impatience after loosing a batch of seedlings two years ago, prompted the purchase last year.
Primula chungensis is more delicate looking than the more robust japonica candelabras, but like them, it is a water lover and thrives in a damp spot.
Meconopsis ‘Crewdson Hybrid’ coming into flower next to a clump of Primula japonica caught in the early morning sun. If anyone is interested please view my post on primulas at: https://ricksplantworld.blog/2025/03/05/primulas-updated/
More Meconopsis ‘Crarae’ caught in the early morning sun, displaying the fine hairs on the leaves and stem.
Two plants from seed sown last year. These will be planted out later in the year if I can find room! Note the much hairier leaves on ‘Lingholm’. If you are interested in the meconopsis please take a look at my post at: https://ricksplantworld.blog/2022/02/09/meconopsis/
Finally a photo’ of Meconopsis ‘Crarae’ without the sun burning out the colour, showing its true self.
This meme is hosted by Jim Stevens who is to be found with all the details and links to plenty of other blogs to enjoy at Garden Ruminations.
A Plantsman's World 
That is a pretty blue on the Meconopsis flower.
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Thank you. Meconopsis are generally reckoned to be one of the best blues in the plant kingdom.
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Oh my, blue poppies. Fabulous. I have tried over the years but it is impossible in Suffolk. Yet we all want to grow things that we can’t. I haven’t come across Meconopsis ‘Crarae’ before. Gorgeous primulas too.
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Yes, I think that they are an outstanding plant. It’s amazing just how much growing conditions can vary in such a small geographical area.
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Indeed, I used to feel such a failure for not being able to grow blue poppies until I realised that nobody round here can grow them. Suffolk is just too dry. Sometimes I treat myself to a couple and treat them like annuals.
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Hi Rick, I left an envious comment about your gorgeous blue poppy and primulas but it seems to have disappeared. Has it gone into your spam or into a black hole?
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Thank you for your kind words. Your original comment was awaiting approval. WordPress doing its thing!
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The meconopsis and the Japanese primulas are a great combination.
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Yes, I agree, but they are only together because they need similar conditions. A happy coincidence!
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First time I saw the Meconopsis was in RHS Rosemoor and I was blown away! Such beautiful blues. You are lucky to be able to grow them at home. And the primula chungensis looks so delicate. You must have a good damp patch in your garden, or are they next to a pond?
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Yes, I have managed to find a small area at the bottom of a slope in partial shade. This dry weather has been a problem though.
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My two favourite plants. I used to grow my mecanopsis from seed but health issues last year put paid to that. I still have the seed sitting in my fridge so hope to sow it this autumn, will wait and see if it is still viable! I have an underground stream running beneath my bog garden and sometimes it is just too wet for my some of my candelabra primulas, at least I now know which ones like to sit in cold water all winter!
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Mine, too. I now only have a small area to grow them in, so I am definitely envious of your bog garden. I do hope your seed is okay and that you can raise another generation of plants.
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Don’t apologise for featuring meconopsis, they’re gorgeous! Crarae is an absolute stunner.
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I have been known to bore people whilst extolling the virtues of meconopsis so I thought I would apologise first. 🙂 More to come next week!
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I look forward to that!
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Meconopsis ‘Crarae’ is rather stunning. I managed to raise at least one Meconopsis from seed a few years ago but lost it once planted out. I have some more seed ready to have another go. Primula japonica is a beauty as well.
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Moist rich soil and plenty of feed seems to be the answer. I think most die due to getting too dry. Conversely I lost a whole batch of one year old plants as they emerged, due to waterlogging, two years ago. Good luck with your seed this year, I am getting poor germination with mine.
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Meconopsis are sought-after flowers and not easy to grow. I don’t have any here and haven’t tried them yet, but this flower is really easy to identify and it’s truly incredible.
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I was lucky in my last garden as I had almost perfect conditions, but I have struggled to get it right in my new one. Fingers crossed my plants will continue to bulk up and not die after flowering. Many species are monocarpic and even the perennial ones, particularly those flowering for the first time, have a nasty habit of disappearing once they have flowered. I know many growers forfeit the first flowers in the hope that they will bulk up more.
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I especially like the backlit Meconopsis – very nice.
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Thank you. I just happened to go out at the right time and caught the light.
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I am loving the Primulas again and enjoyed the introduction to Meconopsis.
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Thank you. They are definitely my two favourite genera. I get a lot of satisfaction from growing them.
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A beautiful selection of plants/photos! That Meconopsis ‘Crarae’ is absolutely stunning in all lighting situations. And the Primulas are fun, too.
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Thank you. I waited a long time until I decided to purchase ‘Crarae’ as I have only grown from seed previously. I think it was worth it!
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Incredibly beautiful, Rick. I can see why they are your favorites. How rewarding it must be to have grown them from seed.
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Thank you.
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