California Poppy Red Chief Seeds - Eschscholzia californica

This California poppy also called Eschscholzia californica 'Red Chief', has exceptionally bright flowers of the most beautiful red there is. Tested for several years, this first-rate variety is remarkably reliable and self-seeds, producing identical clones. They offer dazzling blooms over a long period of time in the summer, contrasting beautifully with its fairly low, very finely cut, bluish-green foliage below. Just as at home in cloister gardens as in sophisticated flower beds, this plant adapts to all climates, withstanding heat, drought and poor soils. It self-seeds very easily in light soil.

California Poppy ‘Red Chief' is a variety obtained from Eschscholzia californica, a short-lived perennial native to California and the Southwestern United States. This plant develops a taproot and quickly forms a clump of foliage, 25cm in height and width. The leaves are pinnate, finely cut and of a particularly attractive colour varying between bluish green and green-grey, that contrasts beautifully with the colour of its flowers. Flowering takes place from spring to autumn, depending on when the seedlings were sown. It reveals in the midst of its foliage, single, silky, cup-shaped flowers that reflect the sunlight and only open when conditions are bright enough. They are a bright red and can be seen from afar. The flowers are melliferous and nectar-rich. They are followed by the formation of long, tapering, 7 to 8cm long, glaucous capsules that contain tiny seeds.

California poppies are a godsend for dry gardens, rock gardens, poor, difficult soils and seaside gardens. They can be sown in perennial beds, natural areas of the garden or even in pots. They are perfect plants for maintenance-free gardens or weekend gardens. Their colours blend beautifully with light blue and mauve hues. They are pretty but short-lived in bouquets.