Flower Specifications
- Approximate seeds per pound: 294,835
- Season: Annual
- USDA Zones: 3 - 9
- Height: 12 - 16 inches
- Bloom Season: Mid-summer
- Bloom Color: Golden orange
- Environment: Full sun
- Soil Type: Prefers gritty, fast-draining conditions, pH 6.6 - 7.5
- Deer Resistant: Yes
California Poppy (Eschscholzia Californica) - The bright orange California Poppy wildflower was named for doctor-naturalist Johann Friedrich Gustav von Eschscholtz who was the surgeon for the Russian expedition team that dropped anchor in San Francisco in 1815 in a bay surrounded by hills covered with the golden flowers. The wild flowers were designated the state flower of California in 1903, and now are protected by state law prohibiting anyone from picking or destroying.
Native to western North America, California Poppy is the most widespread of the 15 species of Eschscholzia found in California. Its range extends from southwestern Washington State south to Baja California, and east to western Texas. The species is quite variable, and there are two subspecies recognized which interbreed freely in cultivation. But this species has been transported to many other parts of the world, both intentionally as a garden plant and inadvertently.
On the hillsides of California, California Poppies tend to make their greatest shows on grazed lands since the animals avoid eating the bitter-tasting plants and eliminate most of the Poppy's competition.
Despite its mild-weather origins, California Poppy seed will grow quite well in cold climates, but only as an annual. It can be used in beds, borders, and in naturalized settings, but generally does not do well in containers. The brilliant orange California Poppy work well with purple and yellow flowers, but may clash with some colors in the garden; yellow varieties combine well with blue cornflower and larkspur. Even though California Poppy is technically an annual wildflower, it is known for reseeding itself. Therefore, if you do not mow down California Poppy before it drops its seed, that seed will lay dormant during the winter and then sprout brand new California Poppies the next spring. Many wild flower seeds perform this way.
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These short-live perennial wildflower plants in the Poppy family (Papaveraceae) have attractive, finely divided and lacy bluish-green leaves. The plants only grow about 12 - 16 inches tall. Tapered buds open into long-lasting flowers with 4 satiny petals arranged in a cup of 2 - 3 inches in diameter. They close at night or in cold, windy weather and open again the following morning, although they may remain closed in cloudy weather. The flowers of the species varies from dark yellow to orange, but plant breeders have expanded the range to include white, pale yellow, pink, purple, red and rose colors, and double or semi-double blossoms. |
Interestingly, in their native habitat California Poppy wild flowers are pollinated by beetles; this job has been taken over by the European honey bee in other areas. Once pollinated, the petals fall away as narrow, ribbed seed pods three inches or longer form. Eventually the pod dries out and splits, shooting tiny black Poppy wild flower seeds all over. To collect the wild flower seeds, gather ripe pods as they are just beginning to split, place in an open container and allow them to dry for a few days before removing the California Poppy wildflower seeds.
California Poppies require full sun and good drainage to flourish, so are particularly well-suited to rock gardens and dry, sandy soils. Because it develops a deep taproot they do not transplant well, and therefore should be seeded directly in the garden where you want them to grow.
Directly sow California Poppy wild flower seed early in the spring. Prepare the area by weeding and loosening the top 1 - 2 inches of soil. Sow the Poppy seeds and rake the soil covering the seed about 1/8 inch deep, and keep the soil moist after planting until the Poppy wild flower seeds germinate in 14 - 28 days, depending on the temperature. Thin to about 12 inches apart. Decrease watering after the plants begin to flower. Deadhead spent flowers to prolong blooming and enhance the appearance of the plant. Removing spent flowers and seed pods will also reduce re-seeding. You may use a low nitrogen fertilizer like a 3-18-18 liquid fertilizer to promote good root growth without the additional foliar growth.
This information is a snippet from Susan Mahr at the University of Wisconsin. For complete information click this link: California Poppy
Shaker Bottle With Seed Starting Matrix |
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Shake 'n Seed - We are now offering shaker bottles filled with our seed starting matrix: rich soil, gardening sand, water absorbing crystals, and starter fertilizer. This not only helps dispense your seed, but it gets it off to a great start! Simply remove lid from shaker bottle, add seed from packet, put back on lid, shake the bottle vigorously for 15 seconds, and then shake your way to beautiful new plants! Use Shake 'n Seed over good quality soil, and then gently water to keep seed moist until it sprouts. Great for ground covers or mass planting flower seeds. |
