California Poppy

California poppy is an annual wildflower native to the western U.S., and it is the state flower of California. Its cup-shaped flowers are about 3 inches (7.6 cm) across and most often bright orange, though colors range from creamy yellow to bright orange. Plants usually reach 1 to 2 feet (30 to 61 cm) tall above a mound of silvery blue-green, fern-like foliage, and one guide gives a smaller range of 6 inches to 2 feet (15 to 61 cm) tall.

Sow seeds directly in the ground after the last spring frost, covering them with about ¼ inch (6 mm) of soil. Seeds sprout in 14 to 21 days at 60 to 65 °F (16 to 18 °C). Fall is also a good time to sow directly in the ground. To start indoors, sow 2 to 3 weeks before the last frost into cell packs or containers, then transplant outside after the danger of frost has passed, noting that seedlings are difficult to transplant. Give it full sun, since it will not grow in shade, and it does well in poor, well-drained soil.

It is considered drought tolerant and can be grown as a drought-tolerant pot plant. Deadhead flowers regularly to encourage more bloom, but leave some heads if you want the plant to self-seed. Cut back after flowering.

No significant insect or disease problems are listed, and the plant is generally pest-free and disease-free. Its main nuisance is self-seeding, which deadheading helps prevent.