How to Grow California Poppy (Eschscholzia Californica)

This West Coast wildflower seems to radiate light from its golden flowers, which are a charming addition to loose, informal plantings. California poppies come in yellow, gold, scarlet, red, bright orange, white and cream. They are also available in single, semi-double, and double flowers.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Bypass Pruners
• Garden Hoses
• Garden Spades
• Garden Trowels
• Seeds
• Watering Cans
• Seeds

1. Look for California poppy seeds at your local garden center or in your favorite mail-order catalog. California poppies can be grown only by seed planted directly in a permanent spot. They resent transplanting and will slow their growth or die if moved.

2. Sow the seed directly in the garden as soon as the soil can be worked in the spring. California poppy likes full sun and poor soil conditions. Sow also in the fall in mild-winter areas, especially in the West.

3. Trim off spent blooms once California poppies begin to fade - usually once temperatures exceed 80 degrees. (If this occurs in late spring, just trim off any spent flowers and leave the carrot-like foliage. The plants may well rebloom.)

4. Water in moderation, if at all. These wildflowers are drought-tolerant, so don't worry much about watering unless you're in an extremely arid region.

5. Pull plants up after the first frost.

Tips & Warnings

• A cool-season annual, California poppies do best in cooler conditions, often petering out in mid-summer but returning later in the year. Since it's an annual, the plant dies out completely after one year, but often reseeds itself.
• Encourage reseeding by allowing the dried flowers and fading foliage to remain in your garden for several weeks.
• California poppies thrive in poor soil and won't flower well if the soil is too rich or much fertilizer is applied.