Eschscholzia californica Thai Silk Mixture | California Poppy

Eschscholzia californica ‘Thai Silk Mixture’

California Poppy | Hardy Annual

Eschscholzia californica ‘Thai Silk Mixture’ is a refined blend of California poppies featuring elegant, semi-double flowers with beautifully fluted petals and a soft, silken sheen. The blooms appear in a harmonious mix of pastel and warm tones, creating a light, airy look in the garden.

Plants are naturally compact, reaching around 20 cm tall, making them ideal for patio containers, rock gardens, borders, and flower beds. The delicate flowers are perfectly balanced by muted blue-grey, feathery foliage. Blooms can reach up to 8 cm wide and are produced continuously throughout the summer.

California poppies are exceptionally easy to grow, thriving in poor, dry soils and requiring minimal care. They are drought tolerant, suitable for xeriscaping, and naturally deer resistant. This variety is also known to be toxic to deer, horses, cats, and dogs.

The California poppy is the official state flower of California and has been cherished for centuries for both its beauty and resilience. ‘Thai Silk Mixture’ is a reliable, fast-growing annual that flowers freely and adds effortless elegance to any sunny garden.

Key Information

• Botanical name: Eschscholzia californica
• Variety: Thai Silk Mixture
• Life cycle: Hardy annual
• Days to maturity: ~75 days
• Plant height: approx. 20 cm
  
• Flower size: up to 8 cm 
  
• Plant spacing: 15–30 cm
• Pinching: Not necessary
• Best for: Containers, rock gardens, borders, flower beds, xeriscaping

Germination Instructions

• Direct sow only – does not tolerate transplanting
• Sow outdoors after the danger of frost has passed, or direct sow in autumn
• Sow 1 mm deep into finely prepared soil
• Sow in short drills with rows 30 cm apart
• Germination: 14–21 days at ~20 °C
• Thin seedlings to 15 cm spacing

Growing Instructions

• Requires full sun (flowers will not open in shade)
• Water lightly; water well only during prolonged dry periods
• Extremely tolerant of poor, dry soils

Cultivation Notes

• Flowers in the first year
• Cut-and-come-again variety
• Cut flowers regularly to encourage continuous blooming
• Deadhead to prevent self-seeding if desired