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Annual Biennial

Eschscholzia californica 'Orange King'
  • RHS Plants for pollinators

A bushy annual to around 40cm high, with finely divided, feathery grey-green foliage. Produces delicate, bright golden orange poppy-like flowers all through the summer

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Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
1 year
Ultimate spread
0.1–0.5 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green Grey Silver
Summer Orange Green Grey Silver
Autumn
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

South–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H3
Botanical details
Family
Papaveraceae
Native to the UK
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Bushy
Genus

Eschscholzia can be annuals or perennials, with finely divided leaves and solitary, long-stalked, poppy-like yellow, orange or red flowers, followed by conspicuous long seed-pods

Name status

Accepted

How to grow

Cultivation

Thrives in poor, well-drained soil; needs full sun for the flowers to open. Good for exposed or coastal areas

Propagation

Propagate by seed, sown direct and in succession from mid-spring onwards. Will self-seed, though seedlings may vary if other cultivars are grown nearby

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Coastal
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Gravel garden
  • Rock garden
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Banks and slopes
  • Cut flowers
  • Flower borders and beds
  • Wall side borders
Pruning

Deadhead to promote flowering, and cut back after flowering

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free

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