In California there are eggplants and then there are “fried-egg plants.”
Sometimes known as the California tree poppy, the white bush poppy or the dream of the desert, the flower of the Romneya coulteri or Matilija poppy — with its 6- to 8-inch crepe-papery white petals and glowing golden ball of stamens in the center — arrives “sunny-side-up.”
In 1890 this queen of the California wildflowers, often called the “fried-egg poppy,” was a nominee for the honor of the California state flower, but came in second to the California poppy, Eschscholzia californica.
A member of the Papaveraceae or poppy family, the Matilija poppy, Romneya coulteri, is a semi-evergreen, herbaceous perennial. Not only is it native to California, it also has the largest flower of any plant native to the state. Its 7-foot-tall woody stems support five- or six-petal flowers that offer not only that unique fried-egg appearance but also a refreshing delicate apricot scent.
Its handsome soft bluish-gray and green deeply textured foliage is smooth and not hairy like some others members of the poppy family.
The Matilija poppy was named for Chief Matilija of the Chumash tribe that inhabited the area for thousands of years. However, many plants are named after the person who scientifically discovered them.
The species name Coulteri honors Irish physician, botanist and explorer Thomas Coulter who discovered the Matilija in 1832 while traveling the West searching for new plants. The genus name, Romneya, recognizes Irish astronomer Thomas Romney Robinson, who worked with and was a friend of Coulter. It was first sold as a garden plant in 1875.
Since then, the Romneya coulteri or Matilija poppy has become popular for use in special areas of the garden and in native landscapes. The Matilija poppy is not stingy with its flowers. Flowering can begin in May and can continue through September.
This plant prefers sun but can flower in dappled shade. It can tolerate many soils types including clay, but must have good drainage. It is drought tolerant once established, but with good drainage can tolerate various amounts of water.
The Matilija poppy is more difficult to establish than some plants. Do not break the rootball apart when planting in the garden.
Even though it is drought tolerant, be sure to water it during the first year.
This plant is rhizomatous — it grows rhizomes. Once established, it can become aggressive by spreading itself underground, so be sure to plant where it will have a great deal of space to grow.
The Matilija poppy is not for small yards, however, it can grow well on slopes and can help stabilize soils.
Be sure to check with your nursery, as new cultivars are being developed that are not as aggressive as older varieties.
The Matilija poppy does not like to be moved or transplanted, and growing from seed is challenging. This plant is a “fire” plant — it comes up in burned areas after fires and needs such fires to stimulate germination.
On the sunny side, the Matilija poppy adapts and thrives in harsh conditions and can do well in hot, dry and even rocky conditions.
Though it is elegant looking, this plant can be a perfect solution for less glamorous locations on slopes, along alleys, by garages and more. The showy blooms of this popular drought-tolerant ornamental plant will have everyone admiring your gardening skills.
For information, call 909-798-9384.
Source: Joyce Dean, a member of the Redlands Horticultural and Improvement Society