RHS puts Meconopsis on trial
19:56 20th May 2010
Garden and greenhouse owners may be interested to learn that the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) has put a big blue poppy on trial.
The Meconopsis is growing at the organisation's Garden Harlow Carr site in Harrogate and is expected to begin to flower towards the end of this month or the start of June.
It is to be judged over three years by the RHS Rock Garden Plant Trial Assessment Panel, as well as other experts from the Alpine Garden Society and Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh.
A total of 23 cultivars have been planted to allow the judges to compare the various hybrids, while other Meconopsi are being grown at various sites throughout the country in order to establish whether there is any truth that the species can only flourish in certain areas.
Gardeners hoping for a glimpse of the plant can head to Garden Wisley in Surrey or pay a visit to Lady Anne's Garden at the RHS' Garden Rosemoor site in Devon.
Meanwhile, the RHS recently appointed Jim Gardiner to the position of director of horticulture and part of his remit will be to manage the various plant trials being undertaken by the organisation.
