Can you help me with plants that have stymied me?

[catjac1975]

I have tried many rare plants over the years and some have never been successful. They are at least rare to me. I am thinking they may be easy in other parts of the country and with some good advice perhaps I will try again.
I have seen Bears Breeches growing in Ohio but have never had it bloom or withstand more than 1 winter. I believe it can be invasive but not a very good plant for my zone 6 in Massachusetts.

Meconopsis betonocofolia, himalayan blue poppy, a hardy perennial is not hardy here. Someone must be able to grow it. How beautiful would a blue poppy be?

Echium pininana is a very tropical beauty. Do you southeners grow it? If not I have seen it at a flower show in Boston, so someone can grow it indoors sand get it to bloom.

These are things I have given up on after many attempts at growing them from seed. So I figured why not ask the collective experts?

 

[digitS']

Experts who may have never heard of these things ...

Okay, back when I was more willing to invest in the efforts for perennials, I admit those blue poppies really caught my eye. I'm amazed how little info Wikipedia has on them. Don't you suppose that's because they aren't very easily grown, Cat'? They may have a very restricted environment.

Those Bear's Britches ... I've heard of them! They sound like some casual, roadside weed. Probably, a tough native ... nope. They are from Greece. Do you really think your coastal New England climate resembles Greece?

Hmmm ... maybe I really could grow that Himalayan poppy ....

Steve

 

[Pulsegleaner]

I sympathize. I have tried to get Dutchman's Breeches (which is supposed to actually be native to here) to grow in my shade garden for ages, and it never has.Why I don't know, the Bleeding Heart does just fine.

 

[catjac1975]

I know they are tough and from the other side of the world. But their are tricks we can do to experience them. Catching the bug, Digits?
Look at what I found. I always tried seed without success.mmmmm
http://www.farreachesfarm.com/SearchResults.asp?Search=blue+poppy

 

[catjac1975]

And much of what we grow started in China. Ahem. daylilies.

 

[digitS']

I know they are tough and from the other side of the world. But their are tricks we can do to experience them. Catching the bug, Digits?
Look at what I found. I always tried seed without success.mmmmm
http://www.farreachesfarm.com/SearchResults.asp?Search=blue poppy

Wait a minute, Cat'.

That outfit is in Port Townsend, WA. Not exactly the windswept Himalayas. And, not all that different from coastal MA ~ but I've been only to one and not the others.

Steve

 

[catjac1975]

I love their website-may try the poppy.

 

[journey11]

I know they are tough and from the other side of the world. But their are tricks we can do to experience them. Catching the bug, Digits?
Look at what I found. I always tried seed without success.mmmmm
http://www.farreachesfarm.com/SearchResults.asp?Search=blue poppy

Wow, so ethereal! $12 is not too much to try it.

 

[Lavender2]

I love that blue poppy but have never tried it, not imagining it would make it in my climate.
One of my favorite flower sites, Swallowtail seeds also has the seed for the Lingholm hybrid, although I think trying the plant might be better.

What species of Bear's breeches have you tried?
I saw them blooming at the Missouri Botanical Gardens, I think A.spinosus , they were so cool!
A friend of mine may grow them, curious, so I emailed her... if it can grow here, she has it. Will let you know if she has any tips. Swallowtail seeds has the seeds for 'mollis' , but that's the less hardy one.

 

[catjac1975]

I don't remember which species. I am sure I chose the most cold tolerant poppy . I may try the plants this time instead of seed. Again the most hardy for B>B> I saw them at an Arboratum in Ohio. Maybe you need to be a pro to grow them. I had them over winter once and got one sad bloom. Downhill from there.