How to Celebrate California Poppy Day

California Poppy Day is April 6. Over 100 years ago, the golden poppy was selected as California's state flower. It has been called the flame flower and the cup of gold and the beautiful flower is pictured on the blue welcome signs at California borders. Celebrate California Poppy Day with these easy tips.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Golden poppy seeds

1. 

   Visit the Antelope Valley California Poppy State Reserve. This wildflower reserve is in the Mojave Desert of northern Los Angeles County. California State Parks is in charge of the 1,700-acre reserve. The poppy fields have seven miles of trail that are partly wheelchair accessible. The best time to visit is usually mid-February to mid-May. The flowers are naturally occurring and the spring show is dependent on the season's rainfall, and other wildflowers also grow within the reserve. The park is open all year.

2. Check out the golden poppy along western state highway beautification and re-vegetation areas. The poppy thrives in disturbed areas and can be planted in fire-scorched areas. Research indicates that it has low flammability and even if burned will often regrow from seeds in the fire zone. It is one of the native California wildflowers called "fire followers" for their ability to reseed after fire.

3. 

   Look for the golden poppy in other states. Its native range is from California to Washington state and east to Texas. The poppy is easy to identify. It has blue-green parsley-shaped leaves and the flower has four satiny yellow or gold petals that open into a golden cup-shaped flower. The seeds form in a long slender seedpod that pops open when dry and scatters tiny black seeds around the plant. The seeds can be dormant for years until rain comes. It has been called a drought escaper because the seeds often remain dormant and survive drought years. The poppy is a perennial in mild climates and an annual in other regions.

4. Plant golden poppies in your garden. Scatter the seeds in autumn. California poppy seeds are available in traditional gold color as well as yellow, copper and white. Sow the seeds where the poppy will grow, as it does not transplant well. The poppy prefers full sun and sandy or well-drained soil and the poppy can even grow in poor soil. This is one of the earliest spring flowers. It adapts to many gardens and self-seeds so once it is growing in your garden, you may enjoy it for many years.

5. 

   Get your golden poppy seeds from a garden center or nursery. Ask a California friend to send you packages. Do not try to harvest poppies from the roadside because poppies do not transplant well. Poppies thrive with other wildflowers and they are commonly part of commercial wildflower mixtures. Add this touch of golden sunshine to your garden.

Tips & Warnings

• California state law prohibits the removal of plants growing on state or county highways and public lands except by authorized employees and contractors.

Resources

• Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve