Meconopsis Sheldonii a truly magnificent hardy perennial. Planted in the woodland garden it always grabs the attention of visitors.

Deep rich to pale blue flowers in late    Spring, early Summer. This beautiful flowering hardy  perennial, often described as short lived fairs much better in the cooler Aberdeenshire climate and will indeed survive and give pleasure for many years.

Although not related to Papavar this plant is commonly known as the blue poppy. Meconopsis definitely grows best where summer tends to be cool and damp, no problem there then.

If you are brave enough, get the plant off to a really good start by removing the flowering stems in the first year, it will pay dividends in years to come.

Hardiness – Fully hardy

Soil – Humus rich, well drained, neutral/slightly acidic

Position – Partial shade, shelter from cold drying winds

Height – 90/120cm – 3/4ft

________________

I did not realise until recently just how much importance bloggers placed on photography. Many, if not most of you write with clarity and style and such outstanding pictures that makes me now spend just a little too much time in front of this screen.

My gardening hobby which is shared with equal passion by my wife has never diminished in the past forty years. Photography however, I have not taken too seriously, in fact the pictures which I post have been shot with one of the original digital cameras with only 2.5 mp. Since the purchase of my new camera my enthusiasm has reached child like proportions. This latest toy is not exactly professional standard but it has 12mp and is a Lumix TZ8 known as the DMC ZS5 in the states. There are a few things which I need to first check out. For instance the picture size.

Should I use,

4000 x 3000 – 12m–2560 x 1920 – 5m or 640 x 480 – 0.3m Now I am getting conflicting advice, some say they would never compromise quality and would always use the first setting. Problem is my use will be mainly for my blog and it seems to recommend the use of the third setting which unfortunately is said to be the poorest quality. I have a preference for a size of 800 x 600 and was thinking of using the top size and then reduce them using photoshop or picnic. Bit of a messing about and also would it then make the quality as poor as the third setting by doing this anyway.

Purdee on her favourite spot.

© 2011 – 2015, Alistair. All rights reserved.