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Macleaya microcapa 'Kelways Coral Plume'



18th July 2010


I know a few gardens where Macleaya make an imposing addition to the back of a herbaceous border and I have always wanted to repeat the effect here, but so far I have always failed. The genus has a reputation for spreading rather vigorously in light shade and I would be happy with that - I have space and shade to spare for it.
Unfortunately it has always died out for me. Rather like Melianthus, it should be good but never has been. In spring last year I managed to persuade myself to have one last try and so far things are looking good. I have planted it in full sun, where it can get its roots down into deep moist soil and it has expanded.So far it has flowered at waist height but I am hoping that it will make towering stems of blue foliage topped with coral heads in time for next summer.
Raised at Kelways nursery in Somerset some time before 1930, it is possibly a hybrid between M.microcarpa and M.cordata.