Bush poppy (tree poppy) Dendromecon rigida
Bush poppy (tree poppy) (Dendromecon rigida) is an evergreen perennial shrub in the Papaveraceae family, native to Chaparral of California and northern Baja California. It grows 1.5–3 m (4.9–10 ft) tall and 1.5–2.5 m (4.9–8.2 ft) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about -9 °C (16 °F). Space plants about 1.5 m (4.9 ft) apart.
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Bush poppy (tree poppy) at a glance
| Type | Perennial shrub, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Papaveraceae |
| Mature height | 1.5–3 m (4.9–10 ft) |
| Mature spread | 1.5–2.5 m (4.9–8.2 ft) |
| Spacing | 1.5 m (4.9 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 7 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance high, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 6–8 |
| Cold hardiness | About -9 °C (16 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 8) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 42 °C (108 °F) |
| Flowering | from about March for 9–17 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Moderate |
| Pollinator value | High |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Chaparral of California and northern Baja California |
| Common in gardens of | 🇺🇸 United States, 🇲🇽 Mexico |
Is Bush poppy (tree poppy) toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Not known to be poisonous.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Bush poppy (tree poppy)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and low water.
Questions about Bush poppy (tree poppy)
- How far apart should I plant Bush poppy (tree poppy)?
- About 1.5 m (4.9 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 1.5–2.5 m (4.9–8.2 ft).
- Does Bush poppy (tree poppy) need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 7 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Bush poppy (tree poppy) need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is high and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Bush poppy (tree poppy)?
- It tolerates about -9 °C (16 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 8.
- When does Bush poppy (tree poppy) flower?
- From about March for 9–17 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Bush poppy (tree poppy) poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Not known to be poisonous.
- What grows well with Bush poppy (tree poppy)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Bush poppy (tree poppy). Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (low).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade A (A: strong evidence).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- Calscape: California native plants, California Native Plant Society
- Calflora: information on California plants, Calflora (non-profit database), Berkeley, California
Notes and assumptions
- A California native of the chaparral and foothills: it grows through the mild, wet winter and rests in the dry summer, when it should be left unwatered once established.
- A stiff, grey-green shrub covered for months in spring with bright yellow four-petalled poppies. A fire follower: its seeds sprout after chaparral burns. Hard to transplant; plant small and never water in summer.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Field poppy Papaver rhoeas
- Bleeding heart Lamprocapnos spectabilis
- California poppy Eschscholzia californica
- Oriental poppy Papaver orientale
- Himalayan blue poppy Meconopsis betonicifolia
- Matilija poppy Romneya coulteri
- Arctic poppy Papaver radicatum
- Bloodroot Sanguinaria canadensis