The Matilija Poppy is a
garden favorite for many people. Romneya coulteri is often difficult to get
started though. And even more difficult to keep going in a container, hence
the seemingly exorbitant prices nurseries charge. I usually plant 3 or more
Matilija Poppies just to
get one growing. While establishing Romneya coulteri there is a fine line between watering enough to
keep them alive and watering so much that they rot. Once they are
established they do great. Romneya coulteri can even become something of a pest due
to the running roots. Although I have a hard time calling anything
this beautiful a pest. The Matilija Poppy can be found in the wild
in conditions as diverse as a sunny stream bank and a dry scree
slope. The type specimen, the first to be described for science was
taken from the Los Padres Forest above Ojai. Romneya coulteri
has an interesting
seed pod that can dry out to make a miniature bird cage. I
usually prune Matilija Poppies back severely each winter to remove the dead
material. Without this winter pruning they can be a little ragged for a
kept garden. Romneya coulteri is noted for having the largest
blossom of any of the California native plants.
High resolution images
of Romneya coulteri are available.
