The Matilija Poppy is a beautiful spring flowering plant that reaches 3'-5' high and spreads to 8' or more  growing from rhizomes. Gray-green foliage provides a back-drop for the spectacular spring flowers that can reach 6" across. The white papery petals  with a bright yellow center give this plant its other common name; Fried Egg Plant. This has the largest flower of all the native flowers and was once the state flower before it was superseded by the more common California Poppy.This plant naturally grows alongside dry stream beds in well-draining sandy soil. We recommend cutting this plant back to about 4"-6" after flowering. It will remain dormant until the next rainy season and put on spectacular growth in the early spring  ready to provide it's superb flower show again in April and May. The delicately scented flowers make a short-lived but spectacular indoor vase arrangement. Bees  birds and butterflies all enjoy this unusual plant.