Matilija Poppy, The Fried Egg Plant

(Romneya Coulteri, native to California) Looks like crepe paper, absolutely beautiful huge blooms. This one's still in the pot, thinking of planting it near the deck because I want to SEE it - AND they are very fragrant, I hadn't realized that before. I have another one planted in the far back, and it has migrated under the fence into the alley, so near the deck might not be such a good idea. A little further out...
Care - Once established, Matilija poppy doesn't need fertilizing or extra water.
Cut old stems back to the ground in late spring using bypass pruners. Propagate by dividing the rootball or, from seed; direct sow outdoors in fall. Bag seedheads to capture ripening seed. Allow pods to dry on plant; break open to collect seeds.
Interesting note, though - Very much a Fire plant, this native of dry, California canyons is often found in burned areas. These seeds are a challenge to germinate. Since this plant's seeds are triggered to germinate by smoke, one way to get them to germinate faster is to sprinkle them lightly with moist soil, cover that with pine sawdust, and light the covering (don't use any accelerants). Burning that continues for at least 15 minutes is best. Water when the fire is out to wash the smoke chemicals down to the seeds, since it is the smoke rather than the fire that induces germination. A less effective way is to burn pine sawdust, mix it with potting soil, moisten, and plant seeds in this mixture. A third method is to smoke the planting medium with burning pine sawdust.