FlowerPoppy
Carmine King California Poppy
Carmine King California Poppy is a hybrid annual that brings rosy-fuchsia blooms with glowing golden centers to gardens across zones 3 through 10. These upright plants reach 12 to 18 inches tall and flower reliably within 60 to 69 days, making them a fast reward for early-season color. The catalogs praise these poppies for their drought tolerance and ability to bloom from early summer into fall, pausing only during intense heat waves. They thrive in full sun with minimal water, making them an elegant choice for gardeners seeking low-maintenance beauty.
Photo © True Leaf Market
Growing Conditions
USDA Zone
3-10
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
Low
Soil
Well-drained, Sandy To Loamy Soil; Tolerates Poor Soil
Growth Stats
18 in
Height
12 in
Width
TypeUpright
Spacing
8
Plant Profile
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
Low
Zones
3-10
Size
18in H x 12in W
Growth
—
Care
Moderate
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Highlights
Rosy-fuchsia petals crowned with golden centers create a striking two-tone effect that dazzles in mass plantings and wildflower meadows. Once established, Carmine King readily self-sows, returning year after year without replanting. Honeybees and other pollinators flock to the nutrient-rich pollen, turning your garden into a living hub of activity. This hybrid's drought tolerance and extended bloom season mean reliable color with almost no fussing, especially when paired with contrasting plantings like Blue Flax.
Common Uses
Carmine King California Poppies excel in wildflower gardens, herbaceous borders, and mass plantings where their vivid color creates dramatic landscape impact. They grow equally well in beds and containers, offering flexibility for both sprawling garden designs and compact spaces. Their pollinator-attracting appeal makes them valuable for supporting honeybees and native bees, serving as both ornamental and ecological assets.
Growing Timeline
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Care Instructions
Direct Sow
Direct sow Carmine King seeds where you want them to grow; they do not transplant well. Sow in spring after frost danger has passed, planting directly into prepared soil in your garden bed or container.
Growing Calendar
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Companion Planting
Ecology & Traits
Scientific Classification
Eschscholzia californica
Family
Papaveraceae
Genus
Eschscholzia
Growth Habit
Upright
Native Status
L48 (N)AK (I)HI (I)CAN (I)