Changes

{{SPlantbox

{{SPlantbox

|common_name=Matilija poppy

|common_name=Matilija poppy, tree poppy

|habit=herbaceous

|habit=herbaceous

|Min ht box=3

|Min ht box=3

|Max wd box=>12

|Max wd box=>12

|Max wd metric=ft

|Max wd metric=ft

|origin=Ventura County, California

|origin=S California, N Mexico

|lifespan=perennial

|lifespan=perennial

|exposure=sun

|exposure=sun

|max_zone=11

|max_zone=11

|jumpin=This is the plant information box - for information on light; water; zones; height; etc. If it is mostly empty you can help grow this page by clicking on the edit tab and filling in the blanks!

|jumpin=This is the plant information box - for information on light; water; zones; height; etc. If it is mostly empty you can help grow this page by clicking on the edit tab and filling in the blanks!

|image=Upload.png

|image=Matilija poppy closeup.jpg

|image_width=240

|image_width=240

}}

}}

{{Inc|

{{Inc|

Romneya (named for T. Romney Robinson, who discovered it about 1845). Papaveraceae. Tall showy herbs or subshrubs used for garden planting.

Romneya (named for T. Romney Robinson, who discovered it about 1845). Papaveraceae. Tall showy herbs or subshrubs used for garden planting.

Romneya coulteri is difficult to transplant, due to the scarcity of fibrous roots; in middle California suckers which are produced in great abundance are transplanted without any loss, provided a good firm ball of earth is kept around the stout thick roots in transit, and if the stems are cut well back, almost to the base. At San Francisco it grows luxuriantly in a heavy adobe soil, producing immense flowers. The name Matilija poppy (pronounced Ma-tilli-ha) is the favorite in California. It comes from the Matilija Canon, Ventura County, where the plant grows in particular abundance. Miss Parsons writes: "Many people have the mistaken idea that it grows only in that region. It is not common by any means; but it is found in scattered localities from Santa Barbara southward into Mexico. It is very abundant near Riverside, and also upon the southern boundary and below in Lower California, where the plants cover large areas. It not only grows in fertile valleys, but seeks the seclusion of remote canons, and nothing more magnificent could be imagined than a steep canon-side covered with the great bushy plants, thickly covered with enormous white flowers." Blossoms remain open for many days. (J. Burtt Davy.)

Romneya coulteri is difficult to transplant, due to the scarcity of fibrous roots; in middle California suckers which are produced in great abundance are transplanted without any loss, provided a good firm ball of earth is kept around the stout thick roots in transit, and if the stems are cut well back, almost to the base. At San Francisco it grows luxuriantly in a heavy adobe soil, producing immense flowers. The name Matilija poppy (pronounced Ma-tilli-ha) is the favorite in California. It comes from the Matilija Canon, Ventura County, where the plant grows in particular abundance. Miss Parsons writes: "Many people have the mistaken idea that it grows only in that region. It is not common by any means; but it is found in scattered localities from Santa Barbara southward into Mexico. It is very abundant near Riverside, and also upon the southern boundary and below in Lower California, where the plants cover large areas. It not only grows in fertile valleys, but seeks the seclusion of remote canons, and nothing more magnificent could be imagined than a steep canon-side covered with the great bushy plants, thickly covered with enormous white flowers." Blossoms remain open for many days. (J. Burtt Davy.)

}}

}}

==Cultivation==

==Cultivation==

In Southern California, R. coulteri grows best in sandy, well-drained soils.  It dislikes summer water and for that reason does poorly near lawns.  Home gardeners that are not willing to forego summer watering should avoid this plant.  However, if it does not get summer water and is left to grow in a well-drained soil, it can become quite happy, almost invasive as it spreads by underground runners.  If not overwatered, R. coulteri an survive in even heavy soil, but will not be as effusive.  For a plant that can be exuberant as the Matillija Poppy, this is not necessarily a bad thing.

In Southern California, R. coulteri grows best in sandy, well-drained soils.  It dislikes summer water and for that reason does poorly near lawns.  Home gardeners that are not willing to forego summer watering should avoid this plant.  However, if it does not get summer water and is left to grow in a well-drained soil, it can become quite happy, almost invasive as it spreads by underground runners.  If not overwatered, R. coulteri an survive in even heavy soil, but will not be as effusive.  For a plant that can be exuberant as the Matillija Poppy, this is not necessarily a bad thing.

===Propagation===

===Propagation===

The plant is easily propagated by cuttings of runners if taken when the plant is dormant or nearly so.  A length of root containing several nodes can be placed an inch or so below the surface in a pot of well-drained planting medium and the plant will readily send up shoots.  If the pot is at least a gallon, once well-rooted, it can be set out into the garden.  Once it is established in the garden it will spread.

The plant is easily propagated by cuttings of runners if taken when the plant is dormant or nearly so.  A length of root containing several nodes can be placed an inch or so below the surface in a pot of well-drained planting medium and the plant will readily send up shoots.  If the pot is at least a gallon, once well-rooted, it can be set out into the garden.  Once it is established in the garden it will spread.

However, once the seed has sprouted, the seedlings at some point must be transplanted into their own container and the mortality of this process is far too high to be anything more than an exercise to teach propagation.  Out of 45 sprouted seeds in a recent trial, only 3 survived to actually be planted out in the garden.  Propagation by root cuttings is definitely a more successful adventure.

However, once the seed has sprouted, the seedlings at some point must be transplanted into their own container and the mortality of this process is far too high to be anything more than an exercise to teach propagation.  Out of 45 sprouted seeds in a recent trial, only 3 survived to actually be planted out in the garden.  Propagation by root cuttings is definitely a more successful adventure.

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Image:Matilija poppy closeup.jpg

Image:Matilija poppy closeup.jpg