How to Grow and Care for California Poppy--Garden Chronicle

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Eschscholzia is a perennial wildflower native to western North America. It bears brilliant red, pink, yellow, or gold cup-shaped flowers on flexible stems above finely divided fernlike leaves.

There are 8 to 10 species of Eschscholzia. Perhaps the most popular is commonly called California poppy which grows wild on hillsides and along roads in the western United States.

Eschscholzia is commonly grown as an annual. It easily reseeds and so will appear again and again where it has grown in the past.

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It is best to sow seeds where plants are to grow. Eschscholzia can be started indoors or in seedbeds but the taproots are brittle making it difficult to transplant easily.

Eschscholzia is a genus of about 10 species of slender annuals and perennials native to open space in Western North America.

Yellow and red *Eschscholzia* cultivars with frilled and ruffled petals.

Table of Contents

Get to Know Eschscholzia

Plant type: Perennial
Growing Zones and range: Zones 7 to 11
Hardiness: Tender–will die back when the frost comes then reemerge in spring
Height and width: 6 to 24 inches (15-60cm) tall and wide
Foliage: Finely-divided, fern-like, light to blue-green leaves
Flowers: 4-petaled flowers to 3 inches (15cm) wide; colors are orange, yellow, cream, and white; also red, pink, and violet.
Bloom time: Spring to summer
Uses: Mixed flower border and beds, cottage gardens, meadow gardens, rock gardens, wildlife gardens; grows well in containers
Common name: California Poppy
Botanical name: Eschscholzia spp.
Family: Papaveraceae
Origin: Western North America

Where to Plant Eschscholzia

Grow Eschscholzia in full sun.
Eschscholzia grows in average to sandy soil that is well-drained. Rich soil yields abundant foliage but few flowers.
Eschscholzia prefers neutral soil pH of 7.0 to 7.5; it dislikes acidic soil.

Eschscholzia Uses

Eschscholzia can be naturalized to cover a sunny hillside or for planting in a dry rock garden.
Grow Eschscholzia in a border.
Eschscholzia attracts birds.

California poppy, *Eschscholzia*, growing on a hillside

When to Plant Eschscholzia

Sow seeds or set container-grown Eschscholzia in the garden in early spring for early summer bloom; in Zones 7-11 sow seed outdoors in fall for spring bloom.
Eschscholzia is best started where it will grow; it does not transplant well. Seeds can be started indoors 2 to 3 weeks before the last spring frost in individual pots.

Planting and Spacing Eschscholzia

Sow seeds indoors in small pots or six-packs in sterile seed starting medium.
Germination takes 1 to 3 weeks at 60° to 65°F (15.6°-18°C).
Transplant with care; direct sowing is generally best to prevent root damage.
Space Eschscholzia 6 to 12 inches (15-30cm) apart.

*Eschscholzia* flowers will close on cloudy days and at night

How to Water and Feed Eschscholzia

Moderate moisture is acceptable for Eschscholzia; mature plants are drought-tolerant.
It is not necessary to feed Eschscholzia. Fertilizer should be applied sparingly if at all.

Eschscholzia Care

Extend the bloom time by deadheading spent blooms.

Eschscholzia Pests and Diseases

California poppies usually resist most pests and diseases.

Eschscholzia Propagation

California poppies easily reseed. Seeds germinate in 7 to 14 days.
In warm-winter regions, Eschscholizia self-sows and come up year after year.
Remove plants after blooming to prevent self-sowing.

Beautiful red-orange and purple Eschscholzia cultivars

Eschscholzia Varieties to Grow

Eschscholzia californica, California poppy. Grows 8 to 12 inches (20-30cm) tall; well-branched, mat-forming annual or short-lived perennial; bears showy 3-inch wide flowers in orange, yellow, or red; flowers close in cloudy weather.
Most cultivars are single flowers. Garden cultivars of various colors usually revert to the orange or yellow of wild species when they reseed.
‘Ballerina’ has semi-double flowers with frilled and fluted petals.
‘Mission Bells’ series have semi-double flowers ranging from cream to orange.
Thai Silk series has single and semi-double flowers with ruffled petals in shades of red, pink, yellow, or orange.

California Poppy Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How can I start a California poppy from seed?

A: California poppy seeds can be started indoors two to three weeks before the last spring frost. Sow them in peat pots to avoid disturbing the roots when transplanting the seedlings after the last frost.

Q: When should I sow California poppy seeds outdoors?

A: California poppies are commonly direct-sown outdoors after the last frost in spring. In mild winter regions, you can sow seeds from autumn through early spring. Sow them in the place they will remain; they are tap-rooted and dislike transplanting.

Q: What are the best growing conditions for California poppy?

A: The best planting location for California poppies is sandy, slightly alkaline soil in full sun. They will tolerate poor and dry soils as well. Treat them as annuals that will bloom best during cool weather.

Q: A bicolor California poppy grew voluntarily in my garden and I saved the seeds. Two years later, I only have orange poppies. What happened?

A: You can purchase California poppy seeds for flowers that bloom white, red, orange, or bicolor. But the plants almost always revert to orange. Also, double-flowered forms eventually revert to single flowers.

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