See rare poppies

The National Trust for Scotland’s blue poppies at Perth’s beautiful Branklyn Garden will soon be in full bloom and be the focus of its next themed celebration.

Following on from successful snowdrop and trout lily-themed events, head gardener Jim Jermyn is taking Branklyn Garden’s annual Meconopsis day and stretching it out into a celebration lasting almost two whole weeks.

Jim told the PA: “Branklyn Garden holds one of the UK’s National Collections of Meconopsis and as such has a significant array of both species and cultivars, some of which can only be seen here, in these worldfamous gardens in Perth.

“Although the words Himalayan Blue Poppy may conjure up some challenges, these plants are comparatively easy to grow in the northern counties of the UK.”

The first Meconopsis flowers appeared last week with more set to follow in quick succession.

“The peak flowering period usually falls between the middle and end of May with the most popular cultivars such as ‘Lingholm,’ ‘Slieve Donard’ and ‘Huntfield’ at their best.”

Explaining Branklyn Garden’s important part in the story of the blue poppy in Britain Jim went on: “The history of this species as a cultivated plant in British gardens owes much to the pioneering work of Branklyn’s founders, Dorothy and John Renton.

“They commenced work on the garden in the early 1920s just as the very first Himalayan Blue Poppy, Meconopsis baileyi, was entering commerce from its introduction by Frank Kingdon Ward from Tibet.

“A fine species and still worthy of a place in any sheltered garden, it was grown from the outset here, enjoying a neutral to acid soil base.

“However, it was the introduction of Ludlow and Sherriff’s now legendary Blue Poppy, Meconopsis grandis, from Bhutan, just before and after the end of the Second World War that would launch the plant that now adorns this two acre Perthshire garden to world-wide fame.

“A number of recentlyraised hybrids have been added to the collection to take the total number of accessions over the 50 mark.

“They range from the rather special cultivar ‘Dorothy Renton’ to a strong-growing variety, ‘Branklyn’ and a fine, pure white one, named ‘Marit’, originally found in Tromso, Norway.”

The celebration runs from May 17 to 29. There will be regular tours and growing tips from the Trust’s resident experts. The Terrace Café will also be serving coffee and cake.

Entry to the garden is free to NTS members, £6.50 to non-members and £4 for Scottish Rock Garden Club members.