Romneya coulteri
Matilija Poppy
Description
Crowned by white poppies, this high-impact, spreading, gray green perennial stands statuesque at 8' tall. It is best used where its scale and habit will not overpower neighboring plants. It requires no summer water and thrives on dry alluvial slopes.
Maintenance Tips
Romneya coulteri is a large, herbaceous, California native perennial that is grown for its attractive gray-green foliage and showy, white poppy flowers that bear resemblance to fried eggs. It can grow up to about 8' tall and wide but can spread up to 20’ away by underground runners known as rhizomes. Despite its large size, it is relatively easy to maintain. Flowering begins in the spring and lasts until late summer. In the fall, the foliage will start to wither, which is when it is best to cut all the stalks down to about 6". Once they are removed, you can leave this plant alone to regrow back in a matter of a couple of months.
Plant Type
Shrub, Perennial
Height Range
6-12'
Flower Color
Yellow, White, Multi-Colored
Flower Season
Summer, Fall
Leaf Color
Grey Green
Bark Color
n/a
Fruit Color
n/a
Fruit Season
n/a
Sun
Full, Half
Water
Very Low
Growth Rate
Fast, Moderate
Soil Type
Sandy, Clay, Loam, Rocky, Unparticular
Soil Condition
Average, Well-drained, Dry
Soil pH
Neutral
Adverse Factors
n/a
Design Styles
Meadow, Mediterranean, Ranch, Spanish, Wild Garden
Accenting Features
Showy Flowers, Specimen
Seasonal Interest
Summer, Fall
Location Uses
Background, Shrub Border, Foundation, Park, Parking Lot, Raised Planter, Roadside, Walls / Fences
Special Uses
Cut Flowers, Erosion Control, Hedge, Screen, Mass Planting, Fire Resistant
Attracts Wildlife
n/a
Water Saving Tip:
Mulching and adding compost to soil can minimize evaporation and help soil absorb and store water.