With petals the color of a summer sky, the Tibetan Blue Poppy (Meconopsis betonicifolia) is a rare botanical treasure that once fooled explorers into thinking it was a myth. Native to the cool, high-altitude regions of Tibet and western China, this flower thrives in moist, shady conditions and is notoriously difficult to grow outside its alpine habitat. 

Gardeners in USDA zones 5 to 7 have the best luck, especially if they can mimic its native cloud-forest climate. For those who succeed, the reward is a bloom that looks like it belongs in a fairytale.