Hunnemannia

( hun - em - MAN - ee - uh )

At-A-Glance Information

Also known as Mexican Tulip Poppy or Golden Cup, this genus includes species of perennials commonly used as annuals that require full sun and little to no water. They are relatives of the California Poppy, and grow to reach 2 to 3 feet tall. Foliage is blue-green and flowers are yellow with crinkled petals. They will bloom in summer and early fall, and last for about a week in a vase as a cut flower. Use these flowers in dry gardens, xeric landscaping, or rock gardens. They are perfect for dry meadows and naturalized areas, as well. Golden Cup grows best in USDA hardiness zones 9-11 or Sunset growing zones 1-24, H1 and H2. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map. There is only one species in the genus, which belongs to the plant family Papaveraceae.

Caring for Hunnemania

Take care when planting these flowers in the landscape, as they are considered invasive in Hawaii and the southwestern region of the United States. Plant Hunnemannia in full sun, ideally in a place that receives between 6 and 8 hours of sun each day. Space plants 1 to 2 feet apart for best coverage and airflow. They appreciate soil that is well-draining, moderately fertile, and that has a pH of between 6.0 and 7.0. If local soils are particularly poor in nutrients or do not drain well, make sure to amend the planting area with plenty of organic compost before installing. Add a layer of organic compost to the planting area to suppress weed growth, increase soil moisture retention, and maintain soil temperatures. Water newly planted Hunnemannia regularly to help it develop a strong root system. At maturity, these plants are drought-tolerant, able to get by on rainwater alone with some supplemental waterings in the warmest months of the year.

Fertilize yearly in early springtime with a application of 2 inches of compost around the base of plants. Pull mulch back before applying, work the compost gently into the soil a bit, water it in, and then replace mulch. These plants are not heavy feeders, and this should be sufficient to provide the necessary nutrients for the active growing and flowering seasons. Prune to remove spent flowers, which will encourage more blooms to emerge as well as discourage reseeding, which can lead to flowers escaping from their garden spaces. These tender, short-lived perennial plants survive for between 2 and 3 years in the landscape before needing to be replaced, and are commonly grown as annuals in temperate zones. They will re-seed in the garden freely, providing new plants for the garden indefinitely.

Propagation

Hunnemannia plants are best propagated via collecting and sowing seeds. To propagate your Mexican Tulip Poppy plant, follow the instructions below:

Propagating Hunnemannia by Seed

Keep in mind that the plant you get from seed will not necessarily mimic all of the characteristics of the parent plant. To propagate by seed, you will need a paper bag, a pot or tray filled with well-draining compost or other organic material, a spray bottle and a fork. The best potting medium for seed germination is a light blend of 1/3 pasteurized soil or compost, 1/3 sand, vermiculite or perlite, and 1/3 coconut coir or peat moss.
Harvest your seeds. The seed heads on plants are pretty easy to spot, they're left behind after flowers have faded. Once they have dried out and begun to split open, you can harvest the seeds inside. Cut them off of the plant, placing them in a paper bag. Harvest as many as you can, and place the paper bag in a dry, cool, dark area. They will continue to split open and release the seeds contained inside. Once they have been released, take them out of the bag and put them in a container so you can work with them.
In either late winter or early springtime, get your container prepared. Water your prepared seed tray or pot filled with soil, and ensure that good drainage is occurring. Place your seeds in your prepared pot or seed tray about a quarter inch to a half-inch under the soil surface. Cover them with soil and water with your spray bottle. Place your tray of seeds in a warm area that receives bright, indirect light. A greenhouse is the most ideal climate, but a planting tray inside a window will do as well. Germination usually takes 7-14 days from sowing. Once you begin to see seedlings sprout and they are able to be handled, transplant them to their own individual 3-inch pots, filled with the same potting medium as described in Step 1. Loosen the seedlings from the potting medium by digging down with the tines of your fork about an inch and a half, gently working the seedling up until it is out. Then, replant the seedling in its individual pot.
Keep the seedling's potting medium moist, but not wet, by spraying the soil with your spray bottle. Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 65 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring (after the danger of frost has passed), when you can transplant it to its new home.

Problems and Pests

Take care when planting these flowers in the landscape, as they are considered invasive in Hawaii and the southwestern region of the United States. Hunnemannia flowering plants can have issues with the following pests and diseases in the landscape, though they are generally resistant.