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Does anyone have a tree poppy (Romneya coulteri)? Is the suckering a problem?

CamelliadCamelliad Posts: 402
in Plants
Trying to buy plants more responsibly. In my head this should mean buying fewer plants but I have interpreted it as buying more drought tolerant plants for the borders.

Today I saw the Romneya coulteri and it looks beautiful. Then I read that it has a tendency to sucker. Does anyone have one? Is it really invasive? I don't want to upset my neighbours...

Posts

  • Paul B3Paul B3 Posts: 3,154
    It can be invasive , especially in lighter soils where it can run freely . Heavy clay soils slow it down though .
    If you monitor its spread and are prepared to dig it out frequently , then go for it .
    I grow another member of the Papaveraceae , Eomecon chionanthum ; much smaller but very invasive in my fairly light loam . On the positive side , it does pull out very easily .
  • CamelliadCamelliad Posts: 402
    Thanks @Paul B3. The border that I would like it for is indeed very free-draining. I'd be happy to stay on top of it but I don't really want to land my neighbour with that task too. Shame though - it's lovely.
  • LiriodendronLiriodendron Posts: 8,328
    I used to garden for someone in Northumberland who had a beautiful Romneya.  It had suckered under her garden wall, though - if it likes you it's hard to control... 
    Since 2019 I've lived in east Clare, in the west of Ireland.
  • tfarrtfarr Posts: 1
    Totally agree with comments above. I bought two, one for a friend, planted on the same day. After 3 years of growth hers is now gigantic and stunning but rampant in light soil and mine is a mere metre high and has only flowered this year in clayish soil ! 
  • CamelliadCamelliad Posts: 402
    Thank you all - I guess that has decided me! I'll file it under "plants that I love but am too scared to plant" (alongside the Rhus).
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