Romneya coulteri

Common Names

Matilija Poppy, Coulter's Matilija Poppy, Californian Tree Poppy, California Tree Poppy, Californian Poppy, Bush Poppy, Canyon Poppy, Dream of the Desert, Giant White Californian Poppy, Fried Egg Flower, Fried Egg Plant

Summary

Matilija poppy is a native Californian perennial with an upright to spreading habit, typically 6–10 ft tall and up to 20 ft wide, featuring blue-green deeply lobed leaves and large white crepe-paper flowers with a central mass of yellow stamens; blooms occur in spring to early summer in full sun on well-drained soil, and the plant is drought-tolerant once established; it spreads aggressively via underground rhizomes.

In cultivation, provide full sun and well-drained sandy or loamy soil; water sparingly after establishment; space plants due to vigorous rhizome growth and potential invasiveness; it is used in xeriscaping, erosion control on banks and slopes, and as a dramatic landscape accent; hardy in zones 8–10; maintenance is minimal apart from occasional pruning or root barriers to limit spread; propagation can be by basal or root cuttings or seed; pests such as caterpillars and powdery mildew may occur.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

6-8 feet

Spread

6-8 feet

Hardiness Zones

Zones 8-10

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally full sun; tolerates partial shade.

Soil Type

Well-drained soil; sandy or loamy.

Soil Drainage

Moist but well-drained soil

Soil pH

5.0–8.0 (slightly acidic to slightly alkaline)

Bloom Color

White with a yellow center.

Bloom Time

Spring and Summer

Foliage Color

Gray-green foliage

Fall Foliage Color

GreenGreySilver

Leaf Lifecycle

Deciduous

Growth Rate

Vigorous

Seasons of Interest

Spring and Summer

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Cuttings, Division

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts bees and butterflies, Attracts other pollinators