Imagine what a sight it was for early explorers and settlers when they first laid eyes on the California hillsides massed with golden-orange flowers fluttering in the breeze. This drought-tolerant heirloom, the state flower of California, attracts pollinators and is an ideal plant for naturalized, wildflower areas. Reseeds readily.

Family: Papaveraceae

Type: California Poppy (Learn More)

Native: North America

Hardiness: Perennial in USDA zones 8–10; usually grown as an annual.

Exposure: Full sun

Bloom Period: Spring to frost

Plant Dimensions: 6"–12" tall and wide

Variety Info: 2"–3" golden-orange, silky, saucer-shaped flowers with four delicate, paper-like petals.

Attributes: Attracts Pollinators, Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Heat Tolerant

When to Sow Outside: RECOMMENDED. 4 to 6 weeks before average last frost, when soil temperature is 50°–60°F, or early to mid-fall for bloom the following spring. Mild Climates: Late summer to early fall for winter and spring bloom.

When to Start Inside: Not recommended; roots are sensitive to disturbance.

Days to Emerge: 7–14 days

Seed Depth: Scatter and rake in lightly

Thinning: When 1' tall, thin to 1 every 4"–6"