One of the first flower I could recognize was the California golden poppy (Eschscholzia californica). On family trips to the Russian River in the spring I spied many a poppy bloom alongside of the roads. I found out they were the State Flower and it was illegal to cut them. Sure, I was young and naïve enough to believe that story. But it's not true. It is illegal to pick any plant in a state or federal park but you can buy and grow your own poppies and pick them to your hearts' delight.
Poppies are easy to grow and are drought tolerant. They will grow almost anywhere where they can get at least 6 hours of sun. They need little water and germinate in the fall after the first rains or in the spring when the soil warms. They will self-germinate if they find the soil and other conditions favorable. You may have several years of golden poppy heaven before you have to re-seed. Ideally, they prefer sandy well drained soil but they are pretty good in almost any soil.
Take a look at the poppies growing in cracks on the sidewalks and streets in your neighborhood.
There are several places in California you can see an orange swath of poppies covering the hillside. Most of the blooms occur in spring March through May so check the state park information before you go. The website: http:www//askforadventure.com-where-to-see-california-poppies , suggest the following areas:
- Antelope Valley
- Anza-Borrego State Park
- Walker Canyon Near Lake Elsinore
- Carrizo Plain Monument
- Santa Monica Mountains
- Chino Hills
- Malibu Creek State Park
- North Table Mountain Ecological Reserve
Nearby areas to view Golden Poppies include Mount Tamaplais, Point Reyes State Park, and Little Yosemite (Sunol Regional Wilderness) or Georgia Street in Vallejo.
Keep an eye out for them you can't miss them. Golden Poppies for a Golden State.
For further reading:
Plant of the Week: California poppy (Eschscholzia californica) by Julie Kierstead Nelson
https;//www.usda.gov/) (https://www.fs.fed.us/)
Master Gardener Newspaper Articles-Tulare/Kings Counties, “The California Poppy” by Michelle Le Strange, UC Master Gardener Advisor May 10, 2007