Golden West California Poppy is a sun-loving heirloom that captures the spirit of wild Western meadows in a tidy garden form. This cultivar of Eschscholzia californica grows 8 to 12 inches tall and produces cheerful golden blooms from spring through fall, reaching full color in just 56 to 70 days from seed. Remarkably low-maintenance, it thrives in poor soil and handles drought like a native wildflower, making it an excellent choice for gardeners who want vibrant color without fuss.
8
Full Sun
Low
6-10
12in H x 6in W
—
Moderate
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Golden West poppies bloom continuously from March through November in most climates, their silky petals unfolding in response to warm sun and closing at dusk in a charming daily rhythm. The plant's exceptional drought tolerance means once established, it asks for almost nothing; even neglect won't stop it from flowering. Deer leave it alone, pollinators love it, and it self-seeds generously, giving you free flowers year after year.
Golden West California Poppies are grown primarily as ornamental flowers for garden beds, borders, and containers. Their long blooming season and low-growing habit make them excellent for creating drifts of color in sunny spaces, and their appeal to pollinators gives them value in gardens designed to support bees and other beneficial insects.
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Start seeds indoors in containers 4 weeks before your last spring frost, keeping temperatures at 60 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit. Germination typically takes 7 to 14 days.
Transplant outdoors after the last spring frost once seedlings have developed true leaves. Harden off seedlings by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions over 7 to 10 days before planting.
Direct sow is recommended. Sow seeds outdoors in early spring or fall; in mild winter areas (zones 8 to 10), late winter sowing also works well. Press seeds into soil or cover lightly.
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