Eschscholzia californica - California Poppy

The California Poppy, Eschscholzia californica, is worthy of its role as the California State flower. Eschscholzia californica grows so well in so much of the state. And the blooming period is so long that the orange flowers can be found for most of the Spring and even into the Summer if there is a little irrigation. I usually plant Eschscholzia californica seeds in the middle of the Fall with the first rains. Care should be taken in planting California Poppies where they already grow. The seeded varieties will interbreed with the local natives and can in time shrink or even eliminate the native gene pool. Much of the seed that is sold is Eschscholzia californica ssp marina. This is a larger flowered poppy that is adapted to near coastal conditions. I take the utmost care in choosing plants when planting adjacent to wild areas. California Poppy plants can be sheared to near the ground and will often rebloom.

The photograph on this book cover was taken at the Poppy Reserve near Lancaster. The middle of April until the first part of May is often the best time to visit with the poppy's there. In the name of "progress" this field is now fenced off and planted with Solar Panels

Other plants from the Eschscholzia Genus featured on this site:
Eschscholzia caespitosa
Eschscholzia californica Carmine King
Eschscholzia californica White Linen
Eschscholzia minutiflora
Eschscholzia parishii

Other plants from the Poppy Family featured on this site:
Argemone munita
Dendromecon harfordii
Dendromecon rigida
Eomecon chionantha
Glaucium flavum
Hunnemannia fumariifolia
Platystemon californicus
Romneya coulteri