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Macleaya microcarpa Kelways Coral Plume

Macleaya microcarpa Kelway's Coral Plume
Plume Poppy

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I love its exotic aspect and its impressive midrib combined with beautiful colours.

Jean R., 30/09/2017

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This plant carries a 12 months recovery warranty

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An imposing rhizomatous perennial with a generous temperament, offering long, soft coral-pink feathery panicles in summer, with hints of a setting sun. Adorned with its beautiful mane, it gives a taste of autumn to the garden, and reveals a silver underside beneath its large lobed leaves. Give this robust wildflower space, sunlight, and moist but well-drained soil, so that it can fully express itself at the back of a flower bed, in a garden that makes room for nature.
Flower size
45 cm
Height at maturity
2 m
Spread at maturity
1 m
Exposure
Sun, Partial shade
Hardiness
Hardy down to -29°C
Soil moisture
Moist soil
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Best planting time March, October
Recommended planting time February to April, September to November
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Flowering time July to August
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Description

Macleaya microcarpa 'Kelway's Coral Plume', often called plume poppy, is an imposing rhizomatous perennial with a quaint charm that was very popular in the 1900s. Somewhat forgotten since then, it deserves its place in a large garden that allows room for nature. It demonstrates a generous temperament, offering long, soft coral-pink plume-like panicles in summer, which are devilishly romantic. Adorned with its beautiful mane, it gives a taste of autumn to the garden and reveals a soft silver underside beneath its large lobed leaves. Give this robust wild plant space, sunlight, and moist but well-drained soil, so it can fully express itself at the back of a flower bed.

 

Macleaya microcarpa is a woody-based herbaceous perennial native to China, belonging to the Papaveraceae family. This unlikely cousin of poppies forms an imposing clump exceeding 1m (3ft) in height and width for the foliage, and often reaching 2m (7ft) in height when flowering in our climates. The plant spreads rapidly thanks to its running roots, making it suitable for large spaces. Flowering takes place in summer, in June-July, in the form of large plume-like inflorescences that persist on the plant for a long time. The flowers are tiny but countless, and composed of two sepals forming a calyx of soft coral-pink. The stems, covered with a whitish bloom, contain yellow latex. They bear large alternate leaves, divided into 5 to 7 lobes, with a grey-green to olive-green colour, and a velvety underside of beautiful almond green. They resemble those of annual poppies. The plant readily self-seeds in moist soil, but not always faithfully with respect to the mother plant.

 

Macleaya microcarpa 'Kelway's Coral Plume' is undoubtedly a beautiful plant. It is majestic, hardy, and sculptural, with a truly unique appearance. This standout variety should, however, be avoided in a small garden. It will inevitably charm in wild areas, sprinkling its tall plumes throughout summer. It can be planted with willowherbs and ferns in moist soil. It pairs well with rodgersias, gunneras, giant hogweed, or angelicas, with which it quickly and dramatically fills a somewhat neglected corner. Note that its inflorescences are magnificent in fresh or dried bouquets, and its tall stems do not need staking.

There has long been confusion between the two species that make up this genus, M. microcarpa often being sold under the name of M. cordata. The difference in appearance mainly lies in the presence of two large whitish sepals on the flower, 2cm (1in) fruit capsules, and a larger size in cordata, which can reach 5 to 6m (16 to 20ft) in height.

Macleaya microcarpa Kelways Coral Plume in pictures

Macleaya microcarpa Kelways Coral Plume (Foliage) Foliage

Flowering

Flower colour salmon
Flowering time July to August
Inflorescence Panicle
Flower size 45 cm
Good for cut flowers Cut flower blooms

Foliage

Foliage persistence Deciduous
Foliage colour green

Plant habit

Height at maturity 2 m
Spread at maturity 1 m
Growth rate normal

Botanical data

Genus

Macleaya

Species

microcarpa

Cultivar

Kelway's Coral Plume

Family

Papaveraceae

Other common names

Plume Poppy

Origin

Cultivar or hybrid

Product reference8363111

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Available in 2 sizes

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Available in 2 sizes

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Planting and care

Macleaya microcarpa thrives in a sunny location sheltered from cold winds, in regular, moist but well-drained soil. It requires space - at least 5 square metres - for it to fully develop, as well as rich and deep soil. This perennial can be susceptible to a fungal infection caused by Erysiphe macleayae, a powdery mildew that covers the leaves with white spots, with its development being favoured in hot and humid conditions. This plant truly shines when isolated, or in the company of other large plants such as giant petasites, Gunnera manicata, and bamboo.

16
€14.50 Each
6
€19.50

Planting period

Best planting time March, October
Recommended planting time February to April, September to November

Intended location

Suitable for Meadow
Type of use Back of border
Hardiness Hardy down to -29°C (USDA zone 5) Show map
Ease of cultivation Amateur
Planting density 5 per m2
Exposure Sun, Partial shade
Soil pH Neutral
Soil type Clayey (heavy), Silty-loamy (rich and light)
Soil moisture Moist soil, well-draining, deep, fertile.

Care

Pruning instructions Remove the faded inflorescences if you want to avoid spontaneous sowings.
Pruning Pruning recommended once a year
Pruning time August
Disease resistance Average
Overwinter Can be left in the ground
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