John Rickard
Family
Papaveraceae
Botanical Name
Dendromecon harfordii
Plant Common Name
Harford's Tree Poppy, Island Bush Poppy
General Description
Grown for its lush evergreen foliage and sunny poppy-flowers, this medium to large shrub from California's Santa Rosa and Santa Cruz islands makes a great choice for mild-climate gardens.
Bluish green, blunt-tipped, oval leaves crowd the upright to arching branches of this relatively cold-tender shrub. Numerous bright yellow, four-petaled poppies are borne toward the branch tips from spring into summer. The solitary, 2- to 3-inch (5- to 7.5-cm) blooms have a central flourish of orange-yellow stamens. Long, plump, cucumber-shaped seedpods follow the flowers. Variety rhamnoides from Santa Catalina Island (and formerly from San Clemente Island) has longer, grayer leaves with pointed tips.
This drought-tolerant shrub thrives in well-drained soil and full to partial sun. Hardy to USDA Zone 8, it may survive in Zone 7 if planted against a sheltered wall. The perfect centerpiece for plantings of California natives, island bush poppy works well in mixed borders, hedges, and seaside plantings. It will also flourish in a sunny conservatory or greenhouse.
Characteristics
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AHS Heat Zone
10 - 1
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USDA Hardiness Zone
8 - 10
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Sunset Zone
7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
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Plant Type
Broadleaf Evergreen
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Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun
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Height
6'-18' / 1.8m - 5.5m
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Width
6'-18' / 1.8m - 5.5m
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Bloom Time
Early Spring, Spring, Late Spring, Early Summer
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Native To
California
Growing Conditions
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Soil pH
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
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Soil Drainage
Well Drained
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Soil type
Loam, Sand
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Tolerances
Drought, Salt
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Growth Rate
Medium
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Water Requirements
Drought Tolerant
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Habit
Oval/Rounded
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Seasonal Interest
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Ornamental Features
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Flower Interest
Showy
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Flower Color
Yellow
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Fruit Color
Green, Tan
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Foliage Color (Spring)
Blue Green
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Foliage Color (Summer)
Blue Green
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Foliage Color (Fall)
Blue Green
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Foliage Color (Winter)
Blue Green
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Fragrant Flowers
No
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Fragrant Fruit
No
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Fragrant Foliage
No
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Bark or Stem Fragrant
No
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Flower Petal Number
Single
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Repeat Bloomer
Yes
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Showy Fruit
No
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Edible Fruit
No
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Showy Foliage
No
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Foliage Texture
Medium
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Foliage Sheen
Matte
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Evergreen
Yes
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Showy Bark
No
