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Key characteristics

Family: Papaveraceae
Height: 5 to 8 feet
Width: 4 to 8 feet
Flower color: Large white crepe like petals surrounding a dense cluster of golden yellow stamens
Foliage color: Blue gray deeply lobed leaves with a matte texture
Bloom time: Late spring to summer
Light: Full sun
Water: Low to moderate moisture in well drained soil
Maintenance: Moderate; provide space for spreading underground rhizomes and cut stems to the ground in late fall
Growing zone: USDA zones 8 to 10
Wildlife: Attracts bees and other pollinators

Perennials

Romneya coulteri

Matilija Poppy

Romneya coulteri forms upright stems clothed in glaucous blue green leaves that are deeply cut and softly textured, giving the plant a bold yet airy presence. In late spring through summer, immense white flowers unfold at the tips of the stems, each bloom displaying crinkled petals surrounding a dense boss of golden stamens that create a dramatic focal point.

Native to southern California and northern Mexico, it inhabits dry hillsides and drought tolerant landscapes.

Light

Full sun

Water

Low to moderate moisture in well drained soil

Bloom time

Late spring to summer

Find this plant

Works well in

Borders
Sun Gardens
Pollinator Gardens
Waterwise Gardens
Cut Flower Gardens

Companion plants

Catmint · Coreopsis · Bearded irises · Bee balm · Yarrow · Ornamental grasses

Design tip

Summer flowers carry the middle of the season, so place it where the bed needs color once spring bulbs fade. Give it open sun and room to fill out, and repeat it in threes or fives so the planting reads as one sweep instead of scattered dots.

Printable plant sheet (PDF)