Meconopsis ‘Ascreavie’
George Sherriff Group
MG No 5
Named and registered by The Meconopsis Group, 2002.
Award
PC (2005)
Young leaves with red-purple pigmentation.
Single leaf showing the saw-toothed serrate edge.
Typical ‘windmill flower’ with widely separated petals.
Thin, elliptical fruit capsules.
Meconopsis 'Ascreavie' is a distinctive member of the George Sherriff Group with wide-spreading, narrow petals giving the flowers a windmill-like effect. This cultivar came from the garden of Ascreavie House, the former home of George and Betty Sherriff, both influential plant collectors and gardeners, where it had probably been grown for many years.
The
stems at the top of the plant tend to slope downwards, especially when
it is windy. A large clump can sometimes appear untidy, so a sheltered
position is best. It is a vigorous cultivar, which can easily be
divided.
Description
The mauve-blue or purple-blue flowers have four long, narrow, wavy petals which do not overlap, unlike those of many other members of the George Sherriff Group.
The flowers are held on short stems above the leafy bract. There can be one or two extra flowers from the top leaf axils of the main stem.
The long, narrow style with a prominent stigma develops into a narrow, ellipsoidal fruit capsule covered with spreading, pale bristles.
The young broad leaves are suffused in red-purple pigment and covered in short, pale hairs.
The mature basal leaves are green, broad with long petioles. The teeth on the leaf margins are deeply serrate (saw-toothed). The leaf tip is pointed.
Mature basal leaves with saw-toothed edges.
Clump of Meconopsis 'Ascreavie'.
Clump of Meconopsis 'Ascreavie' in a garden setting, showing a sometimes lax habit.