Eschscholzia californica
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
Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metresTime to ultimate height
1–2 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
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
H3Botanical 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
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.