California Poppy

Common Name: California poppy

Scientific Name: Eschscholzia californica

Origin: Western North America

Family: Papaveraceae

Bloom time: Spring - Early Summer

The California poppy enjoys full sun and drier, well-drained conditions in the Rock Garden. This bright yellow-orange single flower is more dependable as a reseeding annual, although sometimes it is a short-lived perennial. The finely serrated leaves have a beautiful grey-blue tinge that remains after the flowers have died, and the seed heads have dehisced. Named for explorer Johann Friedrich Eschscholtz, it is the state flower of California.