Californian Poppy 'Sun Shades' (National Trust)

Eschscholzia mexicana | California poppy

£2.49

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Through sales generated from the National Trust seeds, a minimum of £7,500 will be given to the National Trust to help look after nature, beauty and history for everyone, forever.

Eschscholzia are best known by their common name of Californian Poppy, alluding to their bright blooms and delicate, papery petals. Californian Poppy 'Sun Shades' is a dazzler! Its bright orange blooms appear above feathery, blue-green foliage, attracting pollinating insects to their summer nectar. These colourful hardy annuals boast a toughness that belies their beauty. Sow them on dry, thin soils and they will positively flourish!

If left to self-seed, new plants will pop up the following year as they gradually form a spreading drift of colour. The perfect, low maintenance choice for sprinkling through rockeries, gravel gardens and the front of sunny borders. Height and spread: 30cm (12").

Culinary note: Fresh or dried leaves can be used to make a herbal tea which is known to be soothing and relaxing. For more details about edible flowers click here.

Useful Links:
How to sow poppy seeds
Reasons to buy your seeds from Thompson & Morgan

Codes
1 Packet (100 Seeds) (KA7445)

Direct sow eschscholzia seed outdoors where they are to grow from March to May or in September for overwintering. Autumn sowings will flower in late spring. Choose a position in full sun on any poor, well drained soil which has been raked to a fine tilth. Sow seeds thinly, at a depth of 1cm (1/2") in drills spaced 15cm (6") apart and cover seed with its own depth of soil to exclude light. Water the ground regularly, especially during dry periods. Germination usually takes 14-21 days. When seedlings are large enough to handle, thin them out to 15cm (6") apart.

Alternatively, sow California poppies indoors from February to March at a temperature of 15-21C (60-70F). When seedlings are large enough to handle, transplant and grow them on in cooler conditions until large enough to plant outdoors.

Gradually acclimatise eschscholzia plants to outdoor conditions when all risk of frost has passed before planting outdoors in any well drained soil in full sun. Water regularly until plants are fully established. Deadhead faded eschscholzia flowers to prevent them from self seeding.

Seeds and garden supplies will normally be delivered within the time period stated against each product as detailed above. Plants, bulbs, corms, tubers, shrubs, trees, potatoes, etc. are delivered at the appropriate time for planting or potting on. Delivery times will be stated on the product page above, or in your order acknowledgement page and email.

Orders for packets of seed incur a delivery charge of £2.99.

Orders which include any other products will incur a delivery charge of £6.99.

Where an order includes both packets of seeds and other products, a maximum delivery charge of £7.99 will apply - regardless of the number of items ordered.

Large items may incur a higher delivery charge - this will be displayed in your shopping basket.

Please see our Delivery page for further details, and more information on different charges that may apply to certain destinations.

For more information on how we send your plants please visit our Helpful Guide on plant sizes.