I love growing poppies in our garden, and many will ‘pop’ up all over the place year after year.
Many people are familiar with the red poppies (breadseed poppy). We grow California Poppies, which are orange, and are frequently found in wildflower mixes. Last summer I also grew Iceland poppies which come in many colors.
California poppies are an annual flower but easily self-sow. This is an easy-to-grow flower, great for beginners.
I love how California poppies open and close with the weather or night.
Growing California Poppies
Directly sow outside after the risk of spring frost. For zones 8 and warmer direct sow in the fall. Sow seeds 5mm (¼”) deep, spaced 20-25cm (8-10″) apart. Seeds should sprout in 14-21 days.
The seeds are tiny so care is needed when sowing. You want to barely cover the seeds with soil. Make sure you plant them in an area of your garden that you’re ok having them come back year after year.
I always enjoy seeing where they come up the following spring. The seeds are so tiny that they carry on the wind easily so spread around your backyard. They are easy to weed away if you don’t want them growing somewhere.
Have you grown California poppies?
