Description

A bright and cheerful classic that’s incredibly easy to grow and perfect for sunny, low-maintenance spaces. Well-suited to UK gardens and great for both beginners and experienced growers.

Highlights:

• 
  
  Flowering Season: June to September


• 
  
  Height & Spread: 25–30cm height | 20–30cm spread


• 
  
  Position: Full sun | Well-drained, sandy or poor soil


• 
  
  Great for: Wildlife gardens, rockeries, containers, low-maintenance borders

Why We Love It:

California Poppies (Eschscholzia californica) are sun-loving annuals that produce a glowing carpet of silky, cup-shaped blooms in shades of orange, yellow, and red. Incredibly drought-tolerant and resilient, they thrive in poor soils where other plants may struggle. Perfect for naturalising in wildflower patches or adding a long-lasting splash of colour to borders and pots with minimal effort.

Planting & Care Tips:

• 
  
  When to Plant: Sow directly outdoors from March to May or in autumn (September–October) for earlier blooms the following spring


• 
  
  Where to Plant: Open, sunny, and well-drained spots


• 
  
  Spacing: 15–20cm apart


• 
  
  Care Notes: Sow thinly over bare soil, rake lightly, and water in. Minimal care needed—avoid overwatering and allow some plants to self-seed for future displays

The Nunhead Gardener Recommends:

Perfect for pairing with cornflowers and nigella for a relaxed, wildflower meadow feel. Great for pots on sunny patios or balcony gardens where tough, reliable colour is needed.

Please note:

Images show how this plant may look at various stages of maturity. The size you choose may look different.