Sundew California Poppy Seeds

A charming, finely textured annual wildflower grown for its soft yellow to golden cup-shaped blooms and delicate, ferny foliage. Botanically known as Eschscholzia caespitosa, this species is a close relative of the familiar California poppy, but often has a lighter, more airy appearance that makes it especially useful in rock gardens, wildflower plantings, and naturalized sunny spaces.

Garden Uses

Sundew is ideal for sunny borders, rock gardens, meadow-style plantings, dry banks, cottage gardens, and naturalized wildflower areas. Its cheerful yellow flowers rise above finely divided green foliage, creating a soft, graceful display that looks especially natural in informal plantings.

This poppy is particularly useful in drought-tolerant gardens where bright seasonal color is desired with very little care. It can be planted in drifts for a natural wildflower effect or mixed with other low-growing annuals for a soft spring and summer display.

Sundew pairs beautifully with blue flax, lupines, clarkia, baby blue eyes, tidy tips, desert bluebells, and other western wildflowers. It also works well near rocks, gravel paths, and sunny garden edges where its light foliage and bright flowers can be appreciated up close.

Growing Information

Sundew grows best in full sun and well-drained soil. Like most California poppies, it prefers direct sowing where it is to grow, as plants form a taproot and do not transplant well once established.

Sow seeds outdoors after danger of frost has passed, or in fall in mild-winter areas for earlier spring bloom. Lightly cover the seed and keep the soil evenly moist until germination. Once plants are established, they are quite drought tolerant and require very little care.

Avoid overly rich soil or heavy fertilization, as this can encourage excess foliage at the expense of flowers. Plants perform especially well in average, sandy, gravelly, or lean soils with good drainage.

Deadheading may extend flowering, but allowing some seed pods to mature can encourage self-sowing in favorable locations.

• Botanical Name: Eschscholzia caespitosa
• Common Name: California Poppy Sundew, Tufted Poppy
• Plant Type: Annual wildflower
• Bloom Color: Soft yellow to golden yellow
• Bloom Season: Spring to early summer, often longer in mild climates
• Height: Usually 6 to 12 inches
• Spread: 8 to 12 inches
• Light: Full sun
• Soil: Well-drained, sandy, gravelly, or average soil
• Drought Tolerance: Excellent once established
• Best Uses: Rock gardens, wildflower gardens, borders, dry banks, naturalized areas
• Attracts: Bees, hoverflies, beneficial insects
• Special Note: Best direct sown where it is to grow