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Annual Biennial

Eschscholzia californica
  • RHS Plants for pollinators

California poppy

A vigorous, spreading annual to 30cm tall, with finely divided blue-green leaves and single, predominantly orange, or sometimes yellow, white or red flowers to 7cm across in summer, followed by long, curved seed pods

Other common names
California sunlight
cup of gold
see moregolden cup
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Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
1–2 years
Ultimate spread
0.1–0.5 metres
Growing conditions
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Blue Green
Summer Orange Red Yellow Blue Green
Autumn
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

West–facing or South–facing

Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H3
Botanical details
Family
Papaveraceae
Native to GB / Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Bushy
Genus

Eschscholzia can be annuals or perennials, with finely divided leaves and solitary, long-stalked, poppy-like yellow, orange or red flowers, followed by conspicuous long seed-pods

Name status

Correct

Plant range
USA, India

How to grow

Cultivation

Will thrive in poor, well-drained soil but they need full sun for the flowers to open. Can be grown as a drought-tolerant pot plant. Good for exposed or coastal areas

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown in succession from mid-spring onwards

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Coastal
  • Gravel garden
  • Rock garden
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Flower borders and beds
  • Underplanting of roses and shrubs
  • Garden edging
  • Ground cover
Pruning

Cut back after flowering

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free

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