In 1890 this colorful golden orange wildflower was selected as the state flower of California, where its lush golden blooms carpet the hillsides. Perhaps a less well-known member of the papaveraceae family than its larger, bolder cousin the Oriental poppy (Papaver orientale), the vibrant bloom color and shallow cup shape of the California poppy add an orange pool of color to sunny garden palettes.
Blooms appear in spring, remaining through the summer. They are suitable for fall planting in warmer climates and may produce fall flowers. This wildflower's petals close at night. While the vivid orange blossom remains the standard, color variations available range among white, yellow, deep orange, red and purple.
Typically grown as an annual bedding plant in most zones, this versatile plant is actually a perennial in zones 7 to 11. Select when looking for drought tolerant plants in full sun locations. Too much water will cause the roots to rot. No fertilizer is needed and too much fertilizer will reduce blooms in favor of foliage production. A pH range of 5.8 to 7.5 is optimum.
Create a dramatic visual presence with a large group of plants rather than scattering a few plants in several areas. Also consider for landscaping in rocky areas, as they will grow in gaps among rocks. While they will tolerate poor soil, plants do not transplant well. Sow in spring as soon as the ground is workable.