California Poppy Native Orange – Renee’s Garden

Eschscholtzia californica

California poppies’ fluted form and exuberant golden-orange color truly celebrate spring. A perfect choice for hot and dry areas, they’ll grow easily without fuss all over the country. The silky, vivid flowers shine above mounds of feathery gray-green foliage for weeks, covering the ground with a cloak of bright flowers. Carefree and cheerful, these native orange poppies are perfect to cover a neglected area or hard to cultivate slope or plant in the garden for a memorable display of glowing color.
Seed Count: Approx. 1275 / Weight: 2 g

PERENNIAL/GROWN AS ANNUAL

Spring/Summer bloom
Can handle light frost

BEST TO START DIRECTLY IN THE GARDEN

Sow seeds directly into a finely textured, well drained garden bed in full sun as early in spring as the ground can be worked. Plant as early as possible in spring, as poppies can handle light frost and bloom best and longest when plants get a good start in cool weather. In mild winter climates, Poppies can also be sown in late fall to overwinter for spring bloom.

Except in very poor soil, these California poppies will grow and flower readily with no added fertilizer. Space seeds several inches apart, cover inch deep, and firm soil gently. Keep soil moist as seedlings emerge. If seedlings come up very thickly, thin poppies early but delay final thinning until seedlings are well established in spring. Space plants 3-4 inches apart to allow plants room to grow and bloom.

GROWING NOTES

When mature, poppy plants can handle dry conditions, but they will always bloom longer if regularly watered. Poppies are pretty cut flowers if brought indoors just as buds begin to open. At seasons end, allow spent flowers to form pods and drop seed if you want poppies to self-sow for next years flowers.