Dendromecon rigida

RHS Plant Profile

tree poppy

RHS 1999

Other common names

bush poppy, Californian poppy tree, Californian tree poppy

Shrubs

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A vigorous evergreen shrub to 3m tall, with blue-green, ovate leaves 5-10cm long, and an abundance of slightly fragrant, bright yellow flowers 5-7cm wide from late spring to early autumn

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Loam, Sand

Max Height

2.5-4 metres

Max Spread

1-1.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 10–20 years
Max Spread: 1-1.5 metres
Max Height: 2.5-4 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam Sand

Moisture: Well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun

Aspect: South–facing or West–facing
Exposure: Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H3

Colour & Scent

Fragrance Flower

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Papaveraceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Bushy
Genus: Dendromecon are evergreen shrubs with simple, leathery blue-green leaves and 4-petalled, poppy-like bright yellow flowers opening over a long period
Name Status: Correct
Plant Range: California

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in well-drained soil and full sun

Propagation

Propagate by seed in spring or autumn; keep at 10-13°C (50-55°C). Propagate softwood cuttings in summer or by root cuttings in winter

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Coastal
City and courtyard gardens
Cottage and informal garden
Flower borders and beds
Wall side borders

Pruning

Pruning group 1 in early spring. Remove winter damaged shoots or shorten weak or bare shoots. If wall trained - pruning group 13 after flowering

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free