Tufted Poppy
Eschscholzia caespitosa
Care
full sun
very low
Medium; Prefers average to rich soil.
0–1ft tall , 1–1ft wide
Mar-Aug
Friendly
Prized
San Joaquin Valley and surrounding foothills from Kern County to Kings County, below 2000 ft elevation in grasslands and scrub.
Care Guide
Planting
Plant Tufted Poppy in full sun with medium-draining soil that's average to rich in fertility. This is an annual plant, so plant it in spring when you want blooms from March through August. Space plants to create a meadow-like setting mixed with other annuals, keeping in mind they'll grow 1 foot tall at most. Tufted Poppy thrives in Bay Area conditions and tolerates cold down to 5°F, so you don't need to worry about frost protection in our climate.
After Planting
Water regularly during the first growing season to establish the plant, then cut back dramatically once it's established - mature plants need only 3 waterings per month maximum during summer. The biggest mistake people make is overwatering: this is a very low-water plant native to chaparral, so err on the side of dry. Since it's an annual, expect it to complete its life cycle within one season; you can let it self-seed for next year's display or deadhead spent flowers to extend blooming.
Wildlife Supported
Insects
Multiple broods; caterpillars feed on plant tissues, especially flowers and developing seed pods
Birds
Desert and semi-arid specialist; seeds provide consistent food resource
Seeds consumed during dry season when other food scarce; important winter food source