1. Matilija Poppy – Romneya coulteri
(ROM-nee (or NAY)-uh KOLE-ter-eye)
Family: Papaveraceae (Poppy Family)
Native to: Eastern S. Coastal & Peninsular Ranges from Santa Barbara Co. to Baja, locally in Santa
Monica Mtns and on Catalina; uncommon in dry washes & canyons below 4000 ft. in open or
disturbed Coastal Sage Scrub and Chaparral.
clumping sub-shrub mature height: 4-10 ft.
mature width: spreading
Spreading sub-shrub or herbaceous perennial . Stems are erect to leaning and covered with graygreen lobed leaves. In nature, plant is drought-deciduous in the dry summer months. Spreads
vigorously via rhizomes once established.
Growth characteristics:
Blooms primarily in summer, but may flower from May to Aug. in the garden.
Fragrant flowers are huge (6-8 in. across) poppy flowers with white petals and yellow centers.
Looks like a very showy fried egg! Petals look like wrinkled crepe-paper. Called the ‘Queen of CA
Flowers’, this plant is a real show stopper when in bloom!!
Blooms/fruits:
Uses in the garden: Large size and spreading habit makes it a good choice for large, contained
areas. Excellent erosion-control plant for hillsides. Would be fine in a wide bed, as a specimen
plant, with other large and hardy shrubs like Coffeeberry, Ceanothus, Sugarbush. Cultivar ‘White
Cloud’ is slightly smaller, with especially large, attractive flowers.
Sensible substitute for: Non-native large shrubs.
Attracts: Good bird habitat: provides cover and seeds for food.
Requirements:
Element
Sun
Soil
Water
Fertilizer
Other
Requirement
Full sun.
Rocky, or sandy well-drained soils are best. Any local pH.
Water weekly first summer – then Zone 1 (Zone 1-2 maybe).
Can use organic mulch, but not necessary.
Prune back to 4-6 inches in late fall. Somewhat difficult to get started – then it is
almost impossible to eradicate or control.
Management:
Propagation: from seed: fresh seed; fire or charrate treatment
by cuttings: difficult
Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 1, 3, 6, 8, 9, 10, 13, 20, 24, 26
10/29/10
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