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Eschscholzia californica (California poppy)
1 hour care
per year
per year
0.3m
Max height
Max height
0.2m
Max spread
Max spread
1-2 years
To maturity
To maturity
Plant details
Botanical name
Eschscholzia californica
Other names
California poppy, California sunlight, Cup of gold, Golden cup
Genus
Eschscholzia Eschscholzia
Species
E. californica - E. california is an annual with yellow, orange or red poppy-like flowers. Flowers are short-lived but many are produced from early summer through to autumn. It will self-seed happily which may be welcome or unwanted!
Eschscholzia californica is: Deciduous
Habit
Bushy
Flower
Yellow, Red, Orange in Summer; Red, Orange, Yellow in Autumn
Foliage
Blue-green in Summer; Bright-green in Autumn
How to care
Watch out for
Pests
Generally pest-free.
Diseases
Generally disease-free.
General care
Pruning
Cut back after flowering or remove completely.
Propagation methods
Seed
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Where to grow
Eschscholzia californica (California poppy) will reach a height of 0.3m and a spread of 0.2m after 1-2 years.
Suggested uses
Beds and borders, Coastal, Containers, Cottage/Informal, Drought Tolerant, Flower Arranging, Gravel, Low Maintenance, Meadow, Prairie planting, Rock
Cultivation
Sow seeds in-situ periodically from mid to late spring for successional displays. Choose a site with poor well-drained soil in a sunny position as the flowers only open in sunshine. Eschscholzia self-seed freely which may be welcome or unwanted.
Soil type
Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Full Sun
Aspect
South, West
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
Companion plants
Botanical name
Eschscholzia californica
Other names
California poppy, California sunlight, Cup of gold, Golden cup
Genus
Eschscholzia Eschscholzia
Species
E. californica - E. california is an annual with yellow, orange or red poppy-like flowers. Flowers are short-lived but many are produced from early summer through to autumn. It will self-seed happily which may be welcome or unwanted!
Native to
California
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Bushy
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Colour
Flower
Yellow, Red, Orange in Summer; Red, Orange, Yellow in Autumn
Foliage
Blue-green in Summer; Bright-green in Autumn
How to care
Watch out for
Pests
Generally pest-free.
Diseases
Generally disease-free.
General care
Pruning
Cut back after flowering or remove completely.
Propagation methods
Seed
Monthly care advice
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Where to grow
Eschscholzia californica (California poppy) will reach a height of 0.3m and a spread of 0.2m after 1-2 years.
Suggested uses
Beds and borders, Coastal, Containers, Cottage/Informal, Drought Tolerant, Flower Arranging, Gravel, Low Maintenance, Meadow, Prairie planting, Rock
Cultivation
Sow seeds in-situ periodically from mid to late spring for successional displays. Choose a site with poor well-drained soil in a sunny position as the flowers only open in sunshine. Eschscholzia self-seed freely which may be welcome or unwanted.
Soil type
Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Full Sun
Aspect
South, West
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
USDA zones
Zone 10, Zone 8, Zone 7, Zone 6, Zone 5
In order to add a note on this plant, please add this plant to your plant lists.
| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Loamy, Sandy | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Well-drained | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Full Sun | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | South, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Exposed, Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Hardy (H4) | Tell us... |
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Eschscholzia californica
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