Cali Poppy - Single Mix Seeds, Mr Fothergills

The Californian Poppy (Eschscholzia californica) is a bright and cheerful plant from the western United States (hence the name). Known for its orange, yellow, and red blooms, this plant is right at home in any colourful British garden, and now you can have it in yours with our Californian Poppy seeds. Californian Poppy flowers reach about 5-7 cm (2-3 inches) in diameter, and open in the sunlight and close at night. Its delicate, fern-like foliage is a great backdrop to the bold colour of the flowers. But Californian Poppies don't just look good - they're also incredibly easy to grow.

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.