How to Harvest California Poppy

California poppy, Eschscholzia californica, is native to western North America. They have fine, feathery, grayish-green foliage and 2-inch yellow or orange flowers. They are annual flowers that may self-seed, tending to come back in the same spot they were planted. Sow California poppy seeds directly in the garden on top of the snow in late winter. The plants bloom in June. If you keep them deadheaded California poppies survive several frosts and continue blooming until early winter.

Pruning shears

Instructions

- 1
  Harvest the flower stems at the base of the stalk, close to the crown, when the flowers are still in bud and just starting to open. Bring them inside to display in vases.
- 2
  Snip off dying California poppy flowers before they go to seed to keep the plants producing and flowering all summer.
- 3
  Allow the California poppies to form seed heads toward the end of the season. Do not cut them off. Letting seed heads form encourages California poppies to self-seed. The seeds will sprout the following spring, growing into new plants. California seed heads are rectangular-shaped with pointed tips. They look like elongated cones.

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