Eschscholzia californica Lady Marmalade - California poppy seeds

Eschsolzia californica 'Apricot Flambeau' also known as 'Apricot Chiffon' (Thai SIlk Series), is a fairly old variety that has lost none of its charm with time. The crumpled flowers of this poppy are adorned with a double row of creamy yellow petals, bordered with an intense coral hue. As beautiful in bud as it is in full bloom, its flowers overlook a finely cut, bluish-green, highly ornamental foliage. This plant is equally at home in cottage gardens as it is in sophisticated flower beds and will withstand heat, drought and poor soils. It self-seeds freely in light soil.

California Poppy 'Apricot Flambeau' is a variety bred from Eschsolzia californica, a short-lived annual or perennial plant native to California and Southwestern United States. This plant develops a taproot and quickly forms a 25cm clump of foliage. The leaves are pinnate, finely cut and of a particularly attractive colour that contrasts with the flowers, varying between bluish green and  greyish green. Flowering takes place from spring to summer, depending on when the seeds were sown. It reveals in the middle of its foliage, double, silky, cup-shaped flowers that reflect light and open only in generous sunlight. They begin as apricot buds that open with two-toned, creamy-yellow petals with a coral-pink to orange border that is more or less wide. The blooms are melliferous and nectar-rich. They are followed by the formation of long, tapering, glaucous green capsules, 7 to 8cm long, containing tiny seeds.

California poppies are a godsend for dry gardens, rock gardens 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 garden or weekend gardens. Their colours blend beautifully with light blues and mauves. They are pretty but short-lived in bouquets.