California poppy – shining the way to the future for our gardens
When California poppy (Eschscholzia californica) opens its flowers it’s like the sunshine has come down and kissed your garden. This enchanting wildflower is an iconic plant of the American West – and a fascinating plant for the future for natural and sustainable gardens.
What makes California poppy a plant for the future? Its undemanding nature, resilience and ecological value make it a brilliant choice for climate-adapted gardens. Plus nowadays there’s a huge choice of different varieties in a wide range of colours – from creamy-white via lemon yellow to vibrant reds.
In this plant portrait we take a look at its interesting history, some top tips for growing it, and why no garden of the future should be without it!
Origin and history – A plant with the pioneer spirit
California poppy is the state flower of California and has been a familiar feature of this US state’s landscape for centuries. Its habitats are the dry plains, hills and desert regions of North America – from Oregon through to Mexico. In the spring months it makes especially impressive displays, with vast carpets of flowers painting whole swathes of the landscape a luminous orange.
But this plant isn’t just a visual delight – it’s got a fascinating history, too:
- The indigenous peoples of North America were already using California poppy as a healing plant – the leaves and flowers were used to make calming teas and for pain relief.
- Then in 1816 the German naturalist Adelbert von Chamisso brought the plant back to Europe from an expedition to the Californian coast and named it in honour of his friend, the Russian botanist Johann Friedrich Eschscholtz.
- Today California poppy is spread all over the world and has become established as an ornamental plant and in the wild in many locations. In dry climate zones especially it’s valued for its hardiness and its brilliant colours.
Why California poppy is a plant for our gardens of the future
The ever-greater challenges arising from climate change call for plants that can cope with extreme weather conditions. California poppy has several qualities that mark it out as a true plant of the future:
- Drought-resistance – As a wildflower in hot regions California poppy is adapted to dry conditions and needs barely any extra watering.
- Low-maintenance and undemanding – It thrives in poor soils and doesn’t need fertiliser or any special attention.
- Important nectar source for insects – Its flowers are a valuable food source for bees and butterflies, especially at a time when insect populations are dwindling.
- Self-seeds, propagating naturally – Once established, California poppy often self-seeds, ensuring a natural display of flowers year after year.
- Vibrant colour accents in your garden – Alongside the classic golden orange you can also opt for cultivars in creamy-white, lemon yellow, bright red, and even bi-colour variants – for even more variety!
Colourful varieties for your garden
The plant’s wild form, with its typical gold- to orange-coloured petals, is delightful in itself – and now you can also choose from a whole range of other varieties, to bring even more colour into your garden. These three varieties will create a truly dazzling colour display:
A deep red cultivar that’s intense and luminous, a real showstopper in the flowerbed.
A gorgeous rose-pink variety with fine, silky petals – delicate and elegant.
A luminous yellow, with an almost metallic gloss finish, that will light up your borders and wildflower meadows.
These varieties work brilliantly in combination, creating colourful seas of blossom to transform any garden into a luminous work of art.
Tips for growing California poppy in your garden
Location: Sunny and warm – prefers dry, free-draining soils. Perfect for gravel gardens, wildflower meadows and planting border edges.
Sowing: Direct sow outdoors from April to June – or in autumn for the plants to get a head start in spring.
Care: The minimum – quite possibly none at all! California poppy doesn’t need any feeding and needs very little water. Once established it will self-seed to produce new plants.
Good partner plants: Works wonderfully with other drought-loving plants like lavender, thyme and Balkan clary.
