Papaver cambricum L.
Poppy
The Welsh poppy is a tufted perennial poppy (long known as Meconopsis cambrica) and a genuine British native, though a localised one — in the wild it belongs to damp, rocky, often shaded ground in the hills of Wales, south-west England and parts of Ireland, part of a western European upland range. It forms clumps of fresh green, ferny leaves from which slender stems carry solitary, four-petalled flowers in clear lemon-yellow to soft orange.
About
The Welsh poppy is a tufted perennial poppy (long known as Meconopsis cambrica) and a genuine British native, though a localised one — in the wild it belongs to damp, rocky, often shaded ground in the hills of Wales, south-west England and parts of Ireland, part of a western European upland range. It forms clumps of fresh green, ferny leaves from which slender stems carry solitary, four-petalled flowers in clear lemon-yellow to soft orange.
Flowering mainly from May to July, it thrives in cool, moisture-retentive conditions and tolerates considerable shade, making it valuable for woodland edges, north-facing borders and shady gravel. It is also one of the most familiar cottage-garden self-seeders, popping up freely in walls and paving once established, and bees visit the open blooms. Where you want it contained, deadhead before the pepper-pot capsules scatter their seed.
Also known as
Welsh Poppy
Synonyms
Argemone cambrica · Cerastites cambricus · Meconopsis cambrica · Papaver alpinum · Papaver flavum · Papaver luteum · Parameconopsis cambrica · Stylophorum cambricum
Beta — under active development. This catalogue is still being built and accuracy-checked. The information here (including plant identifications, British native status, soil and sun/shade preferences) is provided in good faith for general guidance only and may contain errors or omissions. It must not be relied upon on its own — please confirm details with us before making planting, specification, foraging or purchasing decisions, and never eat or medicinally use any plant based on this catalogue alone, as some species are toxic. To the extent permitted by law, Phoenix Amenity Supplies accepts no liability for any loss arising from use of this information.