Dancing Ballerinas

Annual

Spring/Summer/Fall bloom.

Can handle light frost.

Best to Start Outdoors

Sow seeds directly into a finely-textured, well-drained garden bed in full sun as early in spring as the ground can be worked. Plant as early as possible in spring, as poppies can handle light frost and bloom best and longest when plants get a good start in cool weather. In mild winter climates, Poppies can also be sown in late fall to overwinter for spring bloom.

Except in very poor soil, these California poppies will grow and flower readily with no added fertilizer. Space seeds several inches apart, cover no more than ¼ inch deep, and firm soil gently. Keep soil moist as seedlings emerge. If seedlings come up very thickly, thin poppies early but delay final thinning until seedlings are well established in spring. Space seedlings, 4 to 6 inches apart as plants need room to grow and bloom.

Growing Notes

When mature, poppy plants can handle dry conditions, but they will always bloom brighter and longer if regularly watered and kept well weeded. Poppies are pretty cut flowers if brought indoors just as buds begin to open. At season’s end, allow spent flowers to form pods and drop seed if you want poppies to self-sow for next year’s spring flowers.