California Poppy (Eschscholzia) - Stover Seed since 1922

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California Poppy Flower Closeup
California poppy fields in Lancaster, CA (Eschscholzia californica)
California Poppy (Eschscholzia californica) with butterfly pollinators.
Closeup of a slope with bright orange California Poppies in bloom. So pretty!
California Poppy  Wildflower (Eschscholzia californica) - a small group of plants.jpg
California Poppy & Blue Lupine pictured together.
  • Load image into Gallery viewer, California Poppy Flower Closeup
  • Load image into Gallery viewer, California poppy fields in Lancaster, CA (Eschscholzia californica)
  • Load image into Gallery viewer, California Poppy (Eschscholzia californica) with butterfly pollinators.
  • Load image into Gallery viewer, Closeup of a slope with bright orange California Poppies in bloom. So pretty!
  • Load image into Gallery viewer, California Poppy  Wildflower (Eschscholzia californica) - a small group of plants.jpg
  • Load image into Gallery viewer, California Poppy & Blue Lupine pictured together.

California Poppy

Eschscholzia californica
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The name says "California" but this beauty will grow most anywhere. The vibrant orange, cup-like flowers add casual beauty along a fence line, en masse in a flower bed, or when naturalized on slopes or hillsides.  A staple for erosion control mixtures, roadside plantings, and restoration projects,  it's great in rock gardens too. Tolerant of some filtered shade, it’s lovely under California oak trees.

During a light breeze, a large planting will have the flower heads gently swaying as a group. It attracts butterflies, honeybees, and other pollinators too! The fabulous display of color is a showstopper, but it is not for cut flower use because the flowers close at night.

California Poppy seeds are easy to grow and plants can readily reseed for next year - just like the famous California Poppy Fields in the Antelope Valley where super blooms are spectacular! (See photo above).

In the springtime, plants generally flower about 55 days after sowing the seed.

Native to the western United States, California Poppy is the state flower of California and is a member of Papaveraceae family.

Available in single packets and as bulk wildflower seeds.

A Brief History of California’s State Flower – The California Poppy

Found along the entire western coast of the United States, California Poppy grows as far north as Washington state and as far south as Mexico. It has also established itself in southern France, Australia and Chile, and can be grown as a garden flower in most  areas of the U.S.

The flower is usually golden orange, and is referred to as “golden poppy,” hence its designation as the California (Golden State) flower. It was selected as the state flower by the California State Floral Society in December 1890, but the state legislature did not make the selection official until 1903. April 6 is designated as California Poppy Day. 

Horticulturalists have produced many cultivars with a range of colors, blossoms and stem forms. However, these cultivars will typically not breed true on successive reseeding and will need to be replanted to see the cultivar's unique features. 

California Poppy is drought-tolerant, self-seeding, and easy to grow in gardens. It is best grown as an annual, in full sun and sandy, well-drained, poor soil. Under irrigation it can act as a perennial. 

Interesting fact:  The genus “Eschscholzia” is named after Johann Friedrich Gustav von Eschscholtz (1793-1831), a German naturalist and entomologist who was an early explorer of the Pacific region.

Also see this helpful information:
 
 
Live seeds per ounce (approx 28 grams): 12,500
Seeding rate per ounce: 180 sq ft
Regions: Coastal, Valley, Foothill & Desert below 7,000 ft.
Native To: Western U.S.
Life Cycle: Annual 
Exposure: Full sun to part shade
Height (in): 6-24 
Bloom Period: Mar-Oct
Flower Color(s): Orange, Yellow
Establishment: Fast
Water Requirements: Very Low
Wildlife: Butterflies & other pollinators.  Birds attracted to seeds.
Cultural Information:  Summer watering 1-2 times a month will prolong bloom and delay dormancy
Links to additional information and photos: Stover Seed
Calphotos
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