


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.
Despite its mild-weather origins, California Poppy seeds will grow quite well in cold climates, but only as an annual. Poppies can be used in beds, borders, and in naturalized settings, but generally they do not do well in containers. The foliage is attractive, finely divided and lacy with a bluish-green color. The Poppy flowers close at night or in cold, windy weather and open again the following morning, although they may remain closed in cloudy weather. The Poppy plants require full sun and good drainage to flourish, so they are particularly well-suited to rock gardens and dry, sandy soils. Because the plants develop a deep taproot they do not transplant well, and therefore the wildflower seed should be seeded directly in the garden where you want them to grow.
California Poppy Care: 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 foliage growth.
Flower Specifications
- Approximate seeds per pound: 294,835
- Season: Annual
- USDA Zones: 3 - 9
- Height: 12 - 16 inches
- Bloom Season: Mid-summer
- Bloom Color: Orange
- Environment: Full sun
- Soil Type: Prefers gritty, fast-draining conditions, pH 6.6 - 7.5
- Deer Resistant: Yes
Planting Directions
- Temperature: 60 - 70F
- Average Germ Time: 14 - 28 days
- Light Required: Yes
- Depth: 1/8 inch
- Sowing Rate: 4 ounces per 1,000 square feet or 10 pounds per acre
- Moisture: Keep seeds moist until germination
- Plant Spacing: 12 inches
Flower Growing Info
Annual Flowers
Variety |
Indoor Sowing Date |
Days to Max Germination |
Soil Temp F° |
Planting Depth |
Weeks to Transplant |
Ageratum Alyssum Amaranthus Aster Bachelor Button Baby’s Breath Celosia Coleus Cosmos Daisies Geraniums Impatiens Marigolds Moon flower Morning Glory Nasturtium Pansy Petunia Salvia Sun flower Sweet Pea Vinca Zinnias |
Dec-Mar Dec-Mar Dec-Mar Jan-Apr Feb-Mar Feb-Mar Jan-Apr Dec-Mar Jan-Apr Feb-Mar Nov-Feb Dec-Mar Jan-Apr Feb-Mar Feb-Mar Feb-Mar Nov-Feb Dec-Mar Dec-Mar Feb-Mar Feb-Mar Dec-Mar Jan-Apr |
7 8 14 8 8 8 10 10 5 8 4-10 15 7 8 8 8 16 10 15 6 8 15 7 |
75-78 78-82 68-70 70-75 68-70 68-72 70-80 70-75 68-72 70-75 70-75 68-72 70-80 70-75 70-75 70-74 55-65 70-80 75-78 70-80 70-75 70-80 68-72 |
1/8” 1/6" 1/2” 1/8" 1/4” 1/4" 1/8” 1/4" 1/4” 1/4” 1/2” 1/8” 1/8" 1/4” 1/4” 1/2” 1/8” top 1/10” 1” 1” 1/4" 1/8” |
8-10 10-12 7-9 8 4-6 6-8 6 6-9 6 5-6 14-16 10-12 6-9 6-8 4-5 6 6-10 10 9 N/A 4-6 12 5-8 |
Perennial Flowers
Variety | Planting Depth |
Indoor Sowing Date |
Outdoor Sowing Date |
Soil Temp F° |
Height" | Spread" |
Soil | Light |
Achillea Black Eyed Susan Blanket Flower Butter y Flower Candytuft Cone flower Coreopsis Dahlia Daisies Delpinium Dianthus Foxglove Geraniums Hosta Hollyhock Lupine Penstemon Phlox Poppy Primrose Rudbeckia Tansy Viola |
1/8” 1/4” 1/8" 1/8” 1/8” 1/4" 1/8” 1/8” 1/8" 1/8” 1/8" 1/8” 1/8” 1/2” 1/8" 1/8” Top 1/8” 3/8" 1/8” 1/4” 1/4" 1/8” |
6-8 N/A 6 6-8 6-8 N/A N/A 6-8 N/A 6 6-8 N/A 6-10 6-10 6-8 N/A 6-8 6-8 6-8 N/A N/A N/A 6-8 |
Early Anytime 1-4 after 1-4 after Early Early 1-4 after Early Early 1-4 after Early Early 1-4 after Early Early 2-4 after 2-6 Early Anytime Early Anytime Early Early |
60 60 70 70 65 70 70 65 60 60 70 65 70 70 65 70 70 60 60 60 60 65 65 |
24-36” 24-36” 24-40” 24-36” 1-15” 24-42” 18-48” 12-36" 12-36” 12-48” 18-24” 24-60" 6-36” 24-40" 48-72” 24-36” 12-36" 6-18” 24-30” 8-15” 24-36” 36-48” 4-8” |
18” 18” 14-16” 18-20” 8-10” 12-18” 6” 16-24" 8-20” 18” 10-12” 24" 6-20” 24-40" 18-24” 12-14” 18" 8-10” 8-18” 12-18” 12-24” 6” 6” |
Average, well-drained Average Loose Sandy, well-drained Well-drained Well-drained Moist Rich, fertile Rich,well-drained Average Rich, well-drained Average Any soil Well-drained Rich, well-drained Average Loose soil Rich, loose Any soil Rich, moist Average Average Average |
Full Full Full Partial Partial Full Full/Partial Full Full Full/Partial Full Full/Partial Full/Partial Partial Full/Partial Full/Partial Full Full Full/Partial Full/Partial Full Full/Partial Partial |