This is a very interesting and beautiful genus. The species are few in number, and, with the exception of the first of the two selected, are very rare plants in cultivation. They delight in a rich light sandy loam, and succeed best on rockwork in partial shade. Propagate by division or by seeds in spring: the latter method is the best and most certain of keeping up stock, especially of the last of the selected species.

Meconopsis Cainbrica

This species grows erect about a foot high, with pinnate, pale green, slightly hairy leaves on long stalks, the segments deeply cut. Flowers on long stalks, large, pale yellow. Flowers from June throughout the summer. It must have a good depth of soil on rockwork, but well drained, and be well supplied with moisture in the growing season. Native of western Europe, also Ireland, Wales, and western counties of England.

Meconopsis Wallichii

Meconopsis Wallichii, a species of grand interest and beauty. It grows erect, 3 or 4 feet high, the stems and leaves somewhat glaucous, and densely clothed with long rusty hairs. The lower leaves are 9 inches or a foot long, and stalked, but diminish in size, and ultimately become stalkless as they ascend the stem. Flowers large, pale blue, nodding on short stalks, and arranged in long terminal leafy racemes. Flowers in July, and throughout the remainder of summer and early autumn. Native of Sikkim Himalaya. It is with some diffidence I recommend this grandest of Meconopsis as a hardy herbaceous perennial. Some eighteen or twenty years ago it was first introduced into this country, and flowered at Kew, but died immediately after. Once again, eight years subsequently, it was grown at Kew; and the stock raised from the imported seed was considerable, and was distributed among several botanic gardens in this country, a few being reserved for culture in the herbaceous department at Kew. Three or four of those reserved were cultivated under various treatment - in pots in a cold pit, in the open ground along with other Papaveraceae, and in a small reserve ground attached to the herbaceous department, intersected with hedges; and here it was grown in pots plunged in the soil, and also planted out, shaded also and exposed to the mid-day sun.

The measure of success was greatest in the last-mentioned circumstances, and least in the pit. The plants in pots plunged in shade were by far the most vigorous, and flowered beautifully; but in every case the plants began to show symptoms of decay as flowering ceased, and they ultimately died much in the way of biennial plants when their mission is fulfilled, and without leaving seed by which to make a fresh start the following season. I was not so fortunate as to hear the nature of the result at the few places to which the surplus plants were sent; but having heard nothing since of so interesting a plant, I am obliged to conclude that no greater success attended its culture elsewhere than that just described. Whether biennial or perennial, therefore, is a problem yet to be solved; but in either case it is a splendid and interesting plant.