Matilija Poppy (Romneya coulteri ) also known as California Tree Poppy is native along the coast from Santa Barbara to Baja California. This plant is easy to grow under the right conditions. It likes good drainage. Difficult to propagate it is best purchased as a gallon sized plant and planted in Fall or Winter. It, like many poppies does not like root disturbance. Water the gallon sized plant well, dig a hole and fill with water. Once the water drains away carefully remove plant from pot and slip into hole.
Once established it can survive and thrive with no water at all, however a little water will extend the bloom season. The first year water once a week. DO NOT over water! You can see it thriving in gravelly abandoned spaces. It is excellent for slopes, hillsides, roads and at the back of a large border. At a height of 6-8 feet and spreading from rhizomes, it needs room to spread. It prefers a sunny position or dappled shade. The 6″ blooms are adored by bees and have a light scent. With a bit of water Matilija Poppy can bloom from March thru August. They make great cut flowers. The blue-green foliage should be cut back to the ground in the fall and new growth will emerge with the rains. There is a commercially available variety called ‘White Cloud’ that is said to be more compact.
