These dramatic California natives are one of my favorites. Matilija poppies (Romneya coulteri) are difficult to get established, but once they decide they like a place, watch out. They grow about 8 feet tall and spread into huge clumps—they are aggressive. I have them growing in a large raised bed next to our driveway. You'd think that would contain them. Not quite, they are constantly trying to send up shoots through the tiniest chink in the asphalt driveway. The only plants that have survived in the bed as their neighbors are bougainvillea and a large jade plant (Crassula ovata). These plants are left to fend for themselves. Most of the year it just looks like a jumble of overgrown and untidy plants.
Then come May, the Matilija poppies erupt into bloom and remind me why we put up with their aggressive ways the rest of the year. The flowers are big, about the size of your outspread hand and so stunning. Here's a slightly closer shot.
You can see how the bright yellow pollen is staining the white petals. I've not tried using them as cut flowers because I think they would be a bit messy. So instead I just enjoy looking at them every chance I get during the month of May.
Comments (5)
Beautiful flowers and great photos!! I have never heard of the Matilija Poppy. I love the colors.
Posted by girasoli | May 16, 2008 12:35 AM
Posted on May 16, 2008 00:35
Krista, really so incredibly delicate and lovely. Thank you for sharing. Amazing photographs.
Posted by Barb Cabot | May 16, 2008 9:03 AM
Posted on May 16, 2008 09:03
Wow, Krista. Those are beautiful.
At first I thought they reminded me a little bit of white dogwood. But when I read further down to the size, I thought again.
Posted by Deborah | May 16, 2008 5:52 PM
Posted on May 16, 2008 17:52
I love these flowers. We can barely grow them here in Seattle. We had a plant and every year it was smaller and smaller. It finally disappeared last year. We need to get another one. It is really tough also trying to raise them from seed so we have to try to find a nursery which has them or mail order.
Posted by Marta | May 18, 2008 6:35 PM
Posted on May 18, 2008 18:35
How beautiful! :)
Posted by Leslie | May 19, 2008 4:56 AM
Posted on May 19, 2008 04:56