We have had three days of quite persistent rain and everything in the garden has shot up. It seems to be getting drier at the moment plus the sun is back, albeit intermittently. There seems to be quite a bit of blue in the garden, so this week I’m having the blues.
Smaller in stature than ‘Crarae’, Meconopsis ‘Crewdson Hybrid’ has been around for some time. It is believed to be an opportunist cross between M. betonicifolia and M. grandis. The interesting thing about many meconopsis is that although the original cross was made between two fertile species and the resulting plants often produce viable seed, they eventually become sterile in later generations. This means that my plants were produced vegetatively.
Geranium ‘Orion’ is in fact not an interspecies cross but a seedling of “Brookside”. One of what I like to call the “Big Blues”
I don’t think you can beat Geranium ‘Johnson’s Blue’ for strong growth and intense blue flowers. I find it can be rather a rampant grower and be a bit floppy, but I still wouldn’t be without it. As I am sure many of you have experienced geraniums, are notoriously promiscuous. This is an interspecies cross: G. himalayense x G. pratense. Another “Big Blue”!
Geranium ‘Brookside’ is officially violet/blue so I am including it. Another “Big Blue” this is an interspecies cross: G. clarkei ‘Kashmir Purple’ x G. pratense.
I bought this little bellflower, sometimes known as ‘Resholt’s Variety’, as an edging plant. I will probably move it as it doesn’t seem suited to where it is. The soil is very poor, and I managed to run over it with the recycling bin a few weeks ago! Unfortunately it isn’t in full flower yet but I am running out of blues!
No excuses! I couldn’t resist one last picture.
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 
Thank you, thank you, thank you! Blue is my favourite flower colour and I’m a massive fan of meconopsis. I have a couple in a planter I am hoping will flower this year, they are getting special treatment, so fingers crossed. Enjoy your week.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s a pleasure. I wish you luck with your plants.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Who’s counting when they are all so lovely?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you. It’s good to share some of my favourite flowers.
LikeLike
Still a Wow to the blue meconopsis ! Lovely flowers 😍
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks. I’m so lucky to be able to grow them here.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Blue is my favourite colour and at one time Mecanopsis were my favourite plants at this time of year. Musn’t forget to sow my seed stored in the fridge this autumn!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Glad you like the blues. Good luck with your seed sowing.
LikeLike
A wonderful selection of blues and purples. Meconopsis ‘Crewdson Hybrid’ is stunning – and that’s interesting regarding how yours must have reproduced vegetatively (fifth go at trying to spell that by the way).
LikeLiked by 1 person
There are some hybrid plants that produce seed, although very often not true to type, so most have to be propagated vegetatively. You’re right. It confuses the hell out of my spellchecker. 😄
LikeLiked by 1 person
OK, I admit it, I am green with envy. What I would give to be able to grow blue poppies like that. It’s not for lack of trying. Another nice blue geranium is Rosanne, but she is so greedy for space and clambers all over everyone else. Brookside looks pretty.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m so lucky to have the right conditions to grow them, although the long dry spell has been somewhat problematic. I have Rosanne, but for some reason, it seems rather slow to get going this year. I’m thinking of lifting it to see if anything is attacking the roots.
LikeLike
I love a blue flower and Meconopsis are such a class act but I’m happy to leave growing them to you in the cooler north where they have a chance to survive more than one season. I have too many plant deaths on my conscience as it is.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m so lucky to be able to grow them up here. I know exactly what you mean about plant deaths, particularly when I stray into the realm of the more exotic!
LikeLike
Blue is one of my favorite flower colors. I have always loved the Campanulas, way too far south for that..
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think many of us like blue because it is comparatively rare in the plant kingdom.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Precious blues. So good to view a fellow Meconopsis grower’s bounty. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
So true. I just hope they establish themselves in this new small garden.
LikeLike
What great selection of blues – the Meconopsis ‘Crewdson Hybrid’ is stunning. The rain-drenched flower is beautiful. It looks so fragile, but look how those delicate petals manage to hold all that rain. I think I need to try to grow them – my nearby friend grows them in her garden so maybe I can too!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you. The meconopsis have stood up to the rain well, although they have taken a bit of a battering over the last few days. I’m sure you can grow them, moisture, and feed are the keys.
LikeLiked by 1 person