Eschscholzia californica ‘Apricot Flambeau’

California Poppy

No flower is more closely identified with California than Eschscholzia californica: the California poppy. Normally a deeply saturated orange, more selections are appearing in cultivation, ranging in color from crimson to white. The outrageous ‘Apricot Flambeau’ has doubled petals and stunning coloration; we grew ours from seed received during a propogation class at Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden.

Wildflowers normally reach peak bloom in February through April (Theodore Payne maintains a Wildflower Hotline to track what's in bloom), but the timing and abundance depends on the rainfall patterns. The California poppy itself is actually a long-blooming (spring through summer) short-lived perennial, but it grows so easily from seed – that either you or it scattered – that it is usually treated as an annual. Clumps we’ve left over from the prior year are now more than 18" across; trim them back sharply if you want to keep them neat. Eschscholzia thrives in full sun and is rather drought tolerant, although it performs better with some water. Warning: gophers love their stout taproots!