California Poppy Seeds - Red Chief Eschscholzia californica
- Perennial / Annual; Showy flowers
- Easy to grow and adaptable
- Poppy seeds need to be cold stratified to germinate. Learn how to cold stratify your seed here.
Shipping Schedule
Seeds are shipped year-round, while perennials & bulbs are shipped seasonally. Pre-ordered bulbs ship at the proper planting time for your zone. Spring pre-orders are placed any time before March 1. Fall pre-orders are placed any time before September 1. These items will not ship immediately, but will be delivered at the ideal time for planting. Orders containing both seeds and bulbs may be split into multiple shipments. Click here for more shipping information.
| Pre-Ordered Spring Bulbs & Perennials | Shipping Begins |
|---|---|
| Zones 9 - 12 | Late February to Early March |
| Zone 8 | Early to Mid March |
| Zone 7 | Mid to Late March |
| Zone 6 | Early April |
| Zone 5 | Late April |
| Zones 2 - 4 | Late April to Early May |
| In-season orders ship immediately at the time of purchase to all zones until inventory is depleted. | |
| Saffron Crocus & Bearded Iris | Shipping Begins |
| All Zones | Late August |
| Pre-Ordered Fall Bulbs | Shipping Begins |
| Zones 2 - 5 | Mid to Late September |
| Zone 6 | Late September |
| Zone 7 | Late September to Early October |
| Zones 8 - 12 | Early to Mid October |
| In-season orders ship immediately at the time of purchase to all zones until inventory is depleted. | |
| Pre-Ordered Fall Perennials* | Shipping Begins |
| All Zones | Mid October |
| *Amaryllis Bulbs, Hosta Roots, Lily Bulbs, Papaver Roots, Paperwhite Bulbs, Peony Roots & Siberian Iris Roots | |
Product Description
California Poppy Seeds - Red Chief -Eschscholzia californica
Red Chief Poppies are sure to command attention in your garden! Their bold red-orange hue will not be ignored! An excellent choice for hot and arid regions, California Poppies are hardy and easy to grow.
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Fast Facts
Name: California Poppy Seeds - Red Chief Botanical Name: Eschscholzia californica Life Cycle: Annual Light Requirement: Full Sun Planting Season: Spring Plant Type: Medium length green stalks with bold red blossoms with an orange heart Features: Open Pollinated, Attracts Pollinators, Dry Area Tolerant, Container Garden, Easy to Grow & Maintain Color: Red, Orange Blooms: Spring, Late Spring, Early Summer, Summer Plant Height: Up to 16 inches Plant Spacing: 6-8 inches Planting Depth: 1/16 inch Sowing Method: Direct Sow Cold Stratification: Yes Seeds per Packet: 400 mg Hardiness Zones: 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 Ships: Year Round -
Planting Instructions
How to Plant Red Chief Poppy Seeds
About California Poppies
The California Poppy, a vigorous bloomer, is highly drought-tolerant and tends to perform well in just about any environment, even arid and nhospitable ones. These beauties are easy to grow and require virtually no care
When to Plant Poppy Seeds
We highly recommend sowing seeds directly in the garden at the last spring frost date, but if necessary to start your seeds indoors, do so 2-3 weeks prior to the last frost. California Poppies do not like their roots disturbed and therefore should not be transplanted.
Where to Plant Poppy Seeds
California Poppies perform best in full sun, in sandy, poor to average, well-drained soils. They are heat and drought tolerant and are lovely additions to beds and borders, containers, rock gardens, and along paths or walkways.
How to Plant Poppy Seeds
Poppy seeds need to be cold stratified to germinate.Learn how to cold stratify your seed here.
These poppies germinate most successfully in cool to moderate temperatures and they are, in fact, frost tolerant. Poppies flower best under cool spring weather conditions. Bloom decreases on poppies as temperatures increase in summer months.
If needed, add 2" of compost to your soil to promote drainage. Sow seeds shallowly with just 1/16" layer of soil to cover them, spaced about 6-8" apart.
How to Care for Poppies
Seedlings should sprout in 14-21 days. Thin seedlings to about 8" apart.
Poppies should be watered regularly, but they can tolerate dry conditions. It is not necessary to fertilize poppies.
It generally takes about 60 to 90 days for poppies to bloom after the seed is planted. This timing depends very much on your growing zone and when you plant, along with Mother Nature’s cooperation. The bloom season for poppies is spring to summer. Poppy plants will bloom for a few weeks, but the length of bloom time can be extended by regular watering and application of mulch for moisture retention, as well as regular deadheading of spent flowers. It is also recommended that the seed be sown in successive plantings to extend the bloom season of the poppies.
Visit our Poppy planting guide page to learn more and watch planting videos.
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Planting Video
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Seed Coverage
Amount Recommended Coverage Packet Up to 80 Sq. Ft Ounce Package Up to 625 Sq. Ft 1/4 Pound Package Up to 2,500 Sq. Ft 1 Pound Sack Up to10,000 Sq. Ft 5 Pound Sack Up to 1.3 Acres
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