An upright, compact annual or tender perennial native to California and the southwestern United States. Extremely drought tolerant, ideal for arid environments. The brilliant orange, cup-shaped flowers, are 2-4 inches in diameter, borne individually on long stalks. Prefers full sun in light to sandy soils. Remarkably uniform and neat in appearnce. A popular variety to press. Not hardy below 20F.
Average planting success with this species: 70%
Height: 12-18 inches
Germination: 15-30 days
Optimum soil temperature for germination: 60-70F
Sowing depth: 1/16"
Blooming period: April-August
Average seeds per pound: 293,000
Seeding rate: 8 lbs. per acre
Suggested use: Borders, rock gardens, meadows, mixes.
Miscellaneous: An excellent color accent to any wildflower planting. The state flower of California. Blooms close each night at sunset or on dull days. The finely divided foliage is bluish-green in color making identification easy prior to flowering.
California poppy (Eschscholzia californica) is a member of the poppy family of flowering plants found throughout the western U.S. It is particularly prolific in California, where the plant was designated the state flower in 1903 and subsequently celebrated each April 6th on California Poppy Day. The plant is also known as flame flower and copa de oro, which means “cup of gold.” Unlike many other state flowers, it is not illegal to harvest the plant, unless you were to pluck it from private property. In fact, the species is quite invasive and resistant to disease, although it has been displaced in certain areas by wild grasses.
Another misconception about California poppy is that the plant contains opium when it does not. The morphine-like drug is obtained from a completely different genus and species of plant called the opium poppy. However, California poppy does contain certain alkaloids that lend the plant mild sedative qualities.
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