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Eschscholzia is a perennial wildflower native to western North America. It bears bright red, pink, yellow or yellow cup-shaped flowers on flexible stems above finely divided fern-like leaves.
There are 8 to 10 species of Eschscholzia. Perhaps the most common species commonly known as the California poppy grows wild on hillsides and along roadsides in the western United States.
Eschscholzia is usually grown as an annual. It seeds easily and will therefore appear again and again where it has grown before.
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It is best to sow the seeds where the plants will grow. Eschscholzia can be grown indoors or in seed beds, but the brittle taproot makes it difficult to transplant easily.
Eschscholzia is a genus of about 10 species of annual and slender herbaceous perennials native to the open spaces of western North America.
Learn about Eschscholzia
- Plant type: Perennial
- Growing zones and ranges: Zones 7 to 11
- Hardiness: Soft – will die back when frost comes and then grow back in spring
- Height and width: 6 to 24 inches (15-60cm) high and wide
- Foliage: Finely divided, fern-like, pale green to blue-green leaves
- Flowers: 4-petaled flowers 3 inches (15cm) wide; comes in orange, yellow, cream and white; There are also red, pink and purple colors.
- Bloom time: Spring to summer
- Uses: Intercropped flower beds, cottage gardens, meadow gardens, rock gardens, wildlife gardens; Grows well in containers
- Common name: California Poppy
- Botanical name: Eschscholzia spp.
- Family: Papaveraceae family
- Origin: Northwest America
Where to grow Eschscholzia
- Grow Eschscholzia in full sun.
- Eschscholzia grows moderately in sandy, well-drained soil. Rich soils yield abundant foliage but few flowers.
- Eschscholzia prefers neutral soil with a pH of 7.0 to 7.5; Does not like acidic soil.
Uses of Eschscholzia
- Eschscholzia can be naturalized to cover sunny hillsides or to grow in dry rock gardens.
- Plant Eschscholzia in flower beds.
- Eschscholzia attracts birds.
When to Plant Eschscholzia
- Sow seeds or plant Eschscholzia plants in containers in the garden in early spring for blooms in early summer; in Zones 7-11, sow seeds outdoors in fall for spring blooms.
- Eschscholzia is best started where it will grow; it does not transplant well. Seeds can be started indoors 2 to 3 weeks before the last frost in spring in individual pots.
Planting and spacing Eschscholzia
- Sow seeds in small pots or six-packs in sterilized seedling medium.
- Germination takes 1 to 3 weeks at temperatures of 60° to 65°F (15.6°-18°C).
- Transplant carefully; Direct sowing is often best to avoid damaging the roots.
- Space Eschscholzia 6 to 12 inches (15-30 cm) apart.
How to water and feed Eschscholzia
- Moderate moisture is acceptable for Eschscholzia; mature plants are drought tolerant.
- It is not necessary to feed Eschscholzia. Fertilizer should be applied sparingly if at all.
Caring for Eschscholzia
- Extend bloom time by cutting off spent flowers.
Eschscholzia pest
- California poppies are usually resistant to most pests.
Eschscholzia Propaganda
- California poppies go to seed easily. Seeds germinate after 7 to 14 days.
- In areas with warm winters, Eschscholizia self-seeds and grows annually.
- Remove plants after flowering to avoid self-seeding.
Eschscholzia varieties for planting
- Eschscholzia californica, California poppy. 8 to 12 inches (20-30cm) tall; Well-branched, mat-forming, annual or short-lived perennials; bear has showy 3-inch-wide flowers in orange, yellow or red; The flowers close when the weather is cloudy.
- Most cultivars are single-flowered. Variegated garden cultivars often turn orange or yellow from the wild species when they set seed.
- ‘Ballerina’ has semi-double flowers with frilled and ruffled petals.
- The ‘Mission Bells’ variety has semi-double flowers with cream to orange colors.
- The Thai Silk range features single and semi-double flowers with ruffled petals in red, pink, yellow or orange.
California Poppy Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How can I start California poppy plants from seed?
A: California poppy seeds can be sown indoors two to three weeks before the last spring frost. Sow them in peat pots to avoid disturbing the roots when transplanting the seedlings after the last frost.
Q: When should I plant California poppy seeds outdoors?
Answer: California poppies are usually sown directly outdoors after the last frost in spring. In regions with mild winters, you can sow seeds from fall to early spring. Sow them where they will be; they take root and do not like transplanting.
Q: What are the best growing conditions for California poppies?
Answer: The best location for growing California poppies is in sandy, slightly alkaline soil in full sun. They will also tolerate poor, dry soil. Treat them as annuals that will bloom best in cool weather.
Q: A bicolored California poppy grew naturally in my garden and I saved the seeds. Two years later, I only have orange poppies left. What happened?
Answer: You can buy California poppy seeds to grow white, red, orange or bi-colored flowers. But the tree almost always turns orange. Additionally, the double flower form eventually reverts to a single flower.
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