Number of seeds: 1500 / Botanical name: Eschscholzia californica
Because of its flower color, the California poppy is also called the golden poppy. It is an undemanding plant that thrives in dry, nutrient-poor soils. If it feels at home in the garden, it requires no special care and self-seeds readily without overrunning entire beds. The poppy is particularly valuable in the garden because it is one of the few plants that blooms between May and June. Every morning, as the sun kisses it, this delicate American steppe flower opens its silken petals. The California poppy is a true survivor, as its seeds can withstand years of drought, only to germinate after prolonged rainfall.
Natural habitat: In the southwestern United States, the wild form of Eschscholzia californica blankets entire landscapes with a vibrant sea of blossoms after the first spring rains.
