Eschscholzia
Eschscholzia: Sowing, planting and harvest calendar
California poppy, Eschscholzia californica, is an herbaceous member of the poppy family, native to western North America into Mexico. It is often grown as an annual, but can live for more than one season where conditions suit it. Its rhythm therefore depends on climate, with new generations from seed playing an important role. The name Eschscholzia commemorates the naturalist Johann Friedrich von Eschscholtz.The foliage forms a light mound of finely divided leaves in blue green to silvery grey tones. Their narrow segments give a feathery appearance. Flexible stems hold the flowers above this growth, usually a few tens of centimetres from the ground. The plant has an open outline, with spaces between flowers, rather than a dense cushion of broad leaves. This contrast between fine texture and wide corollas explains much of its ornamental appeal.Single flowers have four silky petals that open into a cup. Yellow and orange are especially…
