Romneya

Romneya flowers

A small group of lax, sub-shrubs with jagged grey-green leaves and large white poppy-like flowers. Grown for their attractive foliage and long flowering season.

Family: Papaveraceae
Botanical Name: Romneya (rom-nee-a)
Common Names: Bush poppy, Californian tree poppy, Matilija poppy

Foliage: Deciduous, pinnately lobed, blue-green leaves.

Flowers: Large, pure white, papery flowers with a large central boss of golden stamens. Mildly fragrant. Bristly ovoid seedpods develop after flowering.

Flowering Period: Mid summer into autumn.

Soil: Moist but well-drained soil (sand or loam). Acid, alkaline or neutral pH.

Conditions: Full sun. Plant in a west or south facing aspect, in a sheltered position.

Habit: Suckering shrub that forms a dense clump.

Type: Perennial sub-shrub.

Origin: California, Mexico.

Hardiness: Hardy in mild and coastal regions of the UK.

Planting and Growing Romneya

Plant in spring, in a light free-draining soil, in full sun. Best grown against a warm, sunny, sheltered wall for protection. Drought resistant once established.

They can spread rapidly once established and dislike transplanting, so site with care.

Taking Care of Romneya

Tree poppies often die back to ground level in severe winters but should regrow from the base again in spring. Mulch in the autumn for extra winter protection in colder regions.

Pruning Romneya

Prune branches and shoots back once flowering has finished to prevent wind rock in winter. Note: Flowering occurs on new season's growth so only prune in the autumn or early spring.

Pests and Diseases

Susceptible to attack by caterpillars. Can be affected by powdery mildew.

Propagating Romneya

Sow seed in spring under glass or take basal cuttings in early spring. Romneya also propagates reasonably well from rooted suckers.

Popular Varieties of Romneya

R. coulteri (RHS Award of Garden Merit) is the main species grown in the UK.

Romneya coulteri is a vigorous, suckering sub shrub with deeply divided, grey-green leaves and large white poppy-like flowers with golden yellow centres. Height to 6ft (1.8m). For sale at You Garden. Cultivar 'White Cloud' bears grey leaves and bold white flowers.

Romneya trichocalyx (bristly Matilija poppy) has glaucous grey-green, pinnately lobed leaves. Height to 5ft (1.5m).