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California Native Plant

Romneya coulteri

Matilija Poppy

Plant photo of: Romneya coulteri
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Information by: The Plant Nerd Inc.        Photographer: Susan Frommer

 

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:

Be sure to fix all leaks promptly no matter how small they may seem.