"THE PURIST'S FORM" Eschscholzia californica var. maritima, Coastal Poppy

This precious collection of specially hand-harvested regional seed has been genetically rogued in our demonstration garden to prevent hybridizing with its traditional poppy relatives. It flaunts a more varying color spectrum of 2" lemon-yellow, gold, and orange flowers.

The coastal form of the California poppy is a mounding, low-growing plant with striking gray-green foliage and blossoms that are the essence of yellow, usually with a deep orange center. It is perennial and blooms for at least 3 and up to 7 months, between February to June, or even longer near the coastline. It reseeds reliably, and is great for bouquets. Pick while in bud and watch it open flat as a dinner plate over the next few days. Burning the cut end over a candle flame may also prolong cut flower bloom.

It is one of the stars of our coastal border. In wet years, it isn't as prolific, perhaps because of the elongated taproot that may dislike the elevated water table. In dry years, it is munificent- a magnet for honeybees, bumblebees, and other native pollinators.

We use it as a groundcover, mowing or weed whipping it after it finishes setting seed in the fall. The low mounding foliage quickly returns through the fall and winter to form an attractive silvery-green groundcover.