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

This collection of hand-harvested seed is continually rogued in our demonstration garden to keep our seeds producing the "type" of the coastal form poppy phenologically identical.  

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, with a deep orange center that varies in size. It is perennial and blooms for at least 3 and up to 7 months, between February to June, or even longer near the coast. 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 weedwhipping it after it finishes ripening seed in the fall. The low mounding foliage quickly returns through the fall and winter to form an attractive silvery-green groundcover.