Romneya coulteri (Coulter's Matilija Poppy)

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Romneya coulteri
Coulter's Matilija Poppy

Photographed in May

Characteristics

Height: 6 - 10 ft

Width: 20 ft

Natural Setting: Dry washes, canyons, and foothills with chaparral or coastal sage scrub vegetation³

Plant Type: Perennial

Dormancy: Summer Deciduous

Form: Upright Columnar, Weeping

Growth Rate: Moderate

Flower Season: Spring, Summer

Drainage: Fast, Medium

Sun Exposure: Full Sun

Water Requirements: Low, never irrigate once established

Cold Tolerance: Tolerates cold to -6° F

Overview

One of the showiest poppies, known as the "fried-egg flower". Very drought tolerant but spreads by rhizomes and can easily spread 10 ft wide.

Anecdotal Experiences

• Prefers full sun, will reach for the sun if given too much shade

• Rapidly growing, expect it to colonize a 10ft area

• Rumored to spread aggressively, in my experience will spread more aggressively in sandy lighter soils and stays put in more clay soils

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