Water-Wise Gardening

California-Friendly Plant: California Poppy

One of the best ways to help out California during the drought is to place water-wise, California-native plants in your garden. And what better way to show that you’re part of the Golden State’s water conservation team than to plant California’s State Flower – the California Poppy.

The poppy’s flower covers the gold spectrum, from pale yellows to deep oranges. The stem of the plant is a light blue-green, with leaves branching upward from the base. The blooms are about two inches wide, while the stem can reach from 18 to 24 inches tall. Although the seeds should be put in sandy, welldrained soil, it is important to keep the ground moist during germination, which usually takes 15 to 30 days. Once the plant has matured, it will need very little water and lots of room to grow. To maintain its striking appearance, be prepared to regularly trim back dead flowers.