An Irish surgeon-botanist, Dr. Thomas Coulter of Newry, Ireland discovered the plant in the chaparral and scrub of southern California in 1831 or 1832. First seeds reached England in 1875 and reportable bloomed at the Botanic Gardens at Glasnevin in Dublin in 1876, by late Victorian times, the plant had become a prized garden performer.
Here in the West, one of Matilija's garden roles is as a watered, tended, large-scale flower bed plant, a favorite of California native plant lovers. Its other Western role is as a big, expansive drought-resistant plant. It grows in all climate zones and blooms from May to July and longer. The Matilija Poppy is deer and rabbit resistant, so it is a good choice for slopes and other open areas where it can grow to its heart content.
In the maintained garden, you must be on guard against the plant's spreading rhizomes. Beautiful but invasive it is best not to plant near less vigorous plants. During winter and spring, watch for new shoots popping up at a distance from the original plant. Dig up such offsets and as much as possible of the rhizomes that connect them to the mother plant. Because this plant resents being transplanted and difficult to find in nurseries, dug up rhizomes is the most efficient way to propagate. Members of the local California Native Plant Society would a great information resource for growing and propagating this California native.
The handsome bluish-green foliage consists of opposite, deeply lobed leaves. The leaf texture is leathery but the leaves are not hairy like some other members of the poppy family. The petals (there are six) are like fine white crinkled tissue or crepe paper. A giant cluster of bright yellow stamens in the center of the flower similar to the yolk of an egg give Matilija poppy its other common name, fried egg plant. The new flowers open only at dawn, last about a week on the plant, and then neatly drop all their petals. They do this from May into July, when the unwatered ones start to slacken off, then quit for the year. Plants that get water (it can be very little) continue to bloom, though lightly, through late summer and then come back for a second bloom season in September and October. In fall or winter, cut the stems that carried last year's flowers back to within 2 to 10 inches of the ground. Plants will flower next year whether you cut them back or not..
On any one day during the May-July bloom, a big plant might display 30 to 60 of the usually six-petaled, 8 to 10 inch wide flowers. The flowers do quite well cut; burn the ends of the stems over a gas flame, candle, or match for five seconds, then place in water.
Red Bluff Garden Club annual Christmas Boutique will open on December 12, 13 & 14 to enable you to purchase all your decorating needs. A large selection of wreaths, centerpieces, swags, and so much more, all made from fresh cut evergreens will be available. You may place your special request by calling 529-4578. Mark your calendars now so you do not miss out. Details on place and times coming soon.
The Red Bluff Garden Club is affiliated with the Cascade District Garden Club, California Garden Club, Inc., Pacific Region Garden Clubs and National Garden Clubs, Inc.