SCIENTIFIC NAME: Eschscholzia californica

COMMON NAME: California poppy

FAMILY: Papaveraceae

TYPE: short-lived perennial in zone 8, reseeds, annual farther north

LEAVES: alternate, dissected, bluish gray-green

FLOWER: petals 3/4" to 2-1/2" long, orange to yellow, also bronze, scarlet, rose, or white

SEASON OF BLOOM: late spring to early summer for about 6 weeks

GROWTH HABIT: 12", loose mounds, native to California

SOIL: well drained, sandy soil

SUN: full sun to part shade; prefers a cooler climate than Alabama

HARDINESS: zone 7-8

UTILIZATION: bed, border, naturalized areas

DISEASES: sometimes reported are bacterial blight, leaf mold, and powdery mildew

INSECTS AND RELATED PESTS: none serious

PROPAGATION: seed, self-sows

MAINTENANCE: easy to grow