Blue poppies (Meconopsis ‘Lingholm’) are alive and thriving at Longwood Gardens, but only for a limited time. These spectacular flowers which are native to the high elevations of the Himalayan Mountains are on display now in the Conservatory at Longwood Gardens, 1001 Longwood Road, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania.

Longwood uses a growing technique to force the blue poppies to flower every year in March. The cultivar, ‘Lingholm’, produces large flowers that average four inches in diameter. The substantial petals are a deep sky blue color.

Blue poppies are infrequently cultivated outside their native habitat. Given the right conditions, however, they can thrive in the northern regions of the United States and Europe. The blue poppies will be on display through late March in the Conservatory.

(Photo courtesy of Longwood Gardens)