California Poppy

The foliage is a blue green color with long stems and leaves that are segmented into round lobes. The flowers grow each on one stem and have four petals to every flower. The petals grows 2 to 6 cm and differ in color from yellow to orange to red. They flower for most of the year from spring all the way through fall. The petals also close up each night and reopen in the morning when the sun comes out. If it is a cloudy day the petals may remain closed.

The plant can usually survive winters and come back in the spring except in the harshest of cold climates it will typically die. This is why it is considered a perennial in warmer areas and an annual in freezing areas. This flower can actually grow in all planting zones from 3 to 9. It is usually fast growing, but again, it depends on the habitat with the amount of sunlight it receives being the biggest factor.

Optimal soil temperature is quite high at 60 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Fertilizer has a negative effect on the production of flowers. The plant prefers nutrient poor and well-drained soils.

Used in landscaping they will grow well in an elevated rock garden with boulders and a very sandy soil mixture. This will ensure plenty of drainage and keep most of the moisture away from the plants. Grown right, the California Poppy will provide a beautifully vibrant pop of color to any landscape.