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When Do I Plant Himalayan Blue Poppy Seed in Zone 5?

Shady gardens come alive when graced with the appearance of the Himalayan blue poppy (Meconopsis betonicifolia). With beautiful, true-blue flowers that measure 4 inches in diameter, the plant grows from 3 to 4 feet in height. Himalayan blue poppies thrive in cool weather -- especially regions with damp, cool summers. Gardeners within zone 5 on the U.S. Department of Agriculture Plant Hardiness Zone Map may find growing this poppy a challenge because of the zone's exceptionally cold winter weather.

  1. Timing

    • Although the Himalayan blue poppy is not listed as hardy to zone 5, gardeners in that area do grow it and treat it as an annual. The plant does best when temperatures remain between 50 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit and die if temperatures go above 80 degrees. The ideal time to plant the seed is in the spring while there is still a light frost on the ground.

    Preparation

    • Himalayan blue poppy seeds require a stratification period. This is easily accomplished by refrigerating them in a handful of slightly moist sphagnum peat moss in a plastic bag for three weeks. Although the seeds won't be transplanted into the garden until early spring, it's a good idea to get the garden bed ready in the fall before planting. Fix any drainage problems by adding 1 cubic yard of coarse sand and 1 cubic yard of coarse compost or other chunky organic material per 100 square feet of planting bed. If the soil is alkaline, according to a soil pH test, add granular sulfur or peat moss to create a more acidic environment for the poppy. The Himalayan poppy's flowers turn pink or purple in alkaline soil.

    Planting

    • After removing the seeds from the refrigerator, plant them into a pot filled with equal parts of vermiculite and peat moss that has been moistened. Himalayan blue poppy seeds require light to germinate so cover the seeds with a 1/8-inch layer of vermiculite or sand. Place the pot outdoors in a cold frame and don't allow the soil to dry out. Five weeks after the seeds germinate, which should occur within three weeks, bring the pot indoors, to a shady area that remains between 60 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. When the poppies develop the third set of leaves, transplant the seedlings into individual 3-inch pots to grow in the shade. Transplant them to a prepared outdoor bed when the temperature warms to 50 degrees Fahrenheit.

    Care

    • Do not allow the soil to dry out at any time during the growing season. Fertilize the Himalayan blue poppy for the first time when it reaches 10 inches in height. Use an all-purpose flowering plant fertilizer at the rate suggested on the label and repeat applications according to instructions. In the colder regions of zone 5, pile mulch over the poppy's crown after the first frost.

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