California Poppy
Eschscholzia californica · Papaveraceae
- Form
- Annual
- Height
- 6–18 in
- Sun
- Full Sun
- Water
- Very Low
- Blooms
- Mar, Apr, May, Jun
- Habitat
- Grassland · Coastal Sage Scrub
🌿 California native
Quick facts
- Habitat: Grassland, open slopes, Coastal Sage Scrub, roadsides
- Form / size: Annual (or short-lived perennial), 6–18 in
- Sun: Full sun · Water: Very low
- Blooms: Spring (the wildflower show) · California’s state flower
Description
The state flower — silky, cupped orange-to-gold petals that open in sun and close at night and on grey days, over finely divided blue-green ferny foliage. Carpets open ground and hillsides in spring, sometimes by the acre. Self-sows freely.
Wildlife & pollinators
Pollen flowers visited by native bees and beetles; part of the larger wildflower mosaic that supports spring insects.
Habitat & range
Grasslands, open scrub, burned ground, and roadsides throughout California; wildly adaptable.
In the garden
The easiest native wildflower — scatter seed on open soil in fall and let winter rain do the rest. Full sun, no supplemental water needed once growing. Let it set seed to return each year.
Propagation
From seed, sown in fall directly where it’s to grow (it has a taproot and resents transplanting). Reseeds on its own thereafter.
Where to see it near you
- iNaturalist — observed in Orange County
- Grassy slopes and roadsides in spring.
Problems
None — it’s a self-sufficient annual. Just don’t overwater it.
