Bloom Blast! July 7, 2010

Romneya coulteri, Matilija poppy or fried egg flower (pictured above)

Now available for viewing in the Gardens and for taking home from our Retail Nursery!

Matilija (pronounced Ma-till-e-ha) poppy is a California native perennial/shrub that grows to six feet tall and spreads indefinitely by rhizomes. The large paper-mache flowers are white with a fluffy yellow center. They like sun and good drainage, and in heavy soils they can be difficult to establish; a mycorrhizal fungal spore tablet or two placed on the bottom of the planting hole can be beneficial. Water well when planted, then once per week or so though first summer. Stop watering once established. Matilija poppies commonly go deciduous in summer or fall and come back in spring. Cut back to base in fall and new shoots will emerge with first rains.

Visit our online photo gallery to view more of out Gardens in bloom.

Other news:

Friends of the Gardens Events Holiday workshops and sales are coming up! Full Article...

Wayfinding signage work in progress Do you have comments on the first phase of our wayfinding signage project? Let us know! Full Article...

Upcoming Classes and Events at the Gardens... Join us on a mushroom identification walk! Full Article...

The Master Gardeners Are In! (The MCBG Library!) Got gardening questions? Ask a Master Gardener! Full Article...

See you at the Gardens!