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About the Seed Exchange
One of the benefits of joining The Meconopsis Group is having access to its seed exchange. Whilst a reasonable number of different Meconopsis plants can be bought from specialist nurseries, rarer species and hybrids are seldom seen or soon sold out.

Consequently,The Meconopsis Group organises an annual seed exchange, from which it is possible to obtain the seed of many species, some commercially unavailable. The seed exchange relies upon the seed generously donated by members and does not buy in seed from third parties. As is normal practice with seed exchanges, priority in seed allocation is given to donors. 

Starting with the 2026 exchange, seed ordering will be done on line. It is very simple and quick: just click to make your selections. For UK members who do not request surplus seed, there is no charge. There will be a delivery charge for non-UK members, and for surplus seed for all. Pay with PayPal (by card, or your account if you have one). 
If you are unable to order on line, you will be able to request a Word document that you can complete and email to us.  

The exchange will open on 1st November, and will close on 28th November.

In the interest of conservation, The Meconopsis Group seeks to promote the growing of Meconopsis from seed so that those species already in cultivation can be maintained and conserved, whilst new introductions can become established and made more widely available for study. We maintain a full list of recognised taxa, with species and their sub-species and varieties.

There is information about growing plants from seed here.
It should be appreciated that many Meconopsis species (e.g. Meconopsis paniculata) are monocarpic (i.e. they die after flowering and setting seed), and therefore need to be raised regularly from seed in order to keep them in cultivation. This is particularly important with the rarer and trickier species (e.g. Meconopsis yaoshanensis).

Meconopsis paniculata


Meconopsis yaoshanensis

Meconopsis baileyi
Even plants of some perennial species (e.g. Meconopsis baileyi or Meconopsis 'Lingholm') may suffer during a very hot, dry summer or an exceptionally wet winter, so they may need to be replaced. If they are well fed they will be strong and healthy, and can last for many decades.

Meconopsis 'Lingholm'
A further advantage of raising a large number of plants from seed is that this can produce a bigger floral display, or allow plants to be tried in various situations of soil and shade around the garden. The image shows four different species/hybrids in a garden display.
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