Cali Poppy - Mission Bells Seeds, Mr Fothergills

Attractive flowers in gold, white, red, and orange appear above finely cut grey green foliage. California poppies are extremely rugged and drought resistant, so they are ideal for xeriscaping - and look splendid in large plantings.

Attributes

Botanical Name: Eschscholzia californica
Type: Hardy Annual
Height: Up to 14in
Light: Full Sun
Habit: Bushy, Dwarf

Growing

Sow outdoors, March-May or August-October, where they are to flower, 0.5cm (¼") deep, directly into finely-prepared, well-drained soil, which has already been watered. Seedlings usually appear in 14-28 days. Thin seedlings to 15cm (6") apart. Water well until plants are established. For a continuous display, make sowings at two to three-week intervals. Sowings made in curves, rather than straight lines, often create a more pleasing effect. Flowers: June-October. Late summer and autumn sowings will flower the following year, often earlier than spring sowings.

Tips

Save a few seeds to sow in late June and, in most years, you will have blooms until the first frosts. Remove the dead heads regularly to prolong the flowering season.