Thursday, June 11, 2009
June gloom or not, the countryside is quite bright these days because of a spectacular native poppy. From afar, it looks for all the world like a flower mimicking a fried egg—sunny side up, of course. Move a little closer and you may be convinced that it isn’t even living, but must be made of crepe paper and pipe cleaners. Of course if you actually reach out to touch it, you’ll find that the Matilija poppy (Romneya coulteri) indeed is real. Bend down to sniff its center and you’ll definitely be enchanted by this fabulous flower. Its common name comes from Matilija Canyon in Ventura County where it grows in abundance. There and along Highway 33 through the Wheeler Gorge it is displayed in all its wild exuberance. But in addition to its wilder locales, these beguiling blossoms are enhancing the roadsides all over the country right now. Road cuts, railroad rights-of-way, and other disturbed places are often colonized, perhaps even easier than your garden may be.
Matilija poppy is notoriously hard to get established, but once it is, you will never be able to contain it, so be sure you really want it in your garden. Starting seeds of this perennial is possible; some of the tips for success mention burning pine needles on top of the seed flat. It’s probably much easier to buy or propagate from already rooted shoots. If you have located an accessible clump (not on National Forest land or anything), dig up a few divisions that include well-rooted portions of the underground rhizomes. This can be tricky, so head into the clump for more mature portions in favor of the newer, outer shoots. Nurseries also carry well-started plants.
Once you’ve established them in your landscape, there is little to do. Withhold summer water if you don’t want them to spread too fast. Cut all the foliage down close to the ground in the fall and wait for the new shoots to emerge after the first rains. Of course, if the rains are delayed (or don’t come at all), irrigating them as you would other native plants is in order.
June Tips
• Plant your “great” pumpkin or other pumpkins and gourds this month to have them by Halloween.
• Watch for powdery mildew, especially on roses, if foggy days are persistent. Spray with a mixture of 1 1/2 tablespoons vegetable oil, 1 1/2 tablespoons baking soda, 1 tablespoon vinegar, and 1 tablespoon dishwashing liquid in a gallon of water.
• Water is scarce this year. Irrigate responsibly and maintain mulch levels to conserve moisture.
Virginia Hayes, curator of Ganna Walska Lotusland, will answer your gardening questions. Address them to Gardens, The Independent, 122 W. Figueroa St., S.B., CA 93101. Send email to vahayes@lotusland.org.