Yellow form of California Poppy

California Poppy (yellow form), Eschscholzia californica aurea, blooming in a Vernegues garden. These plants faithfully open in the morning and then close for the evening. In milder climates, they are perrenial, coming back year after year. Most are a dark orange; however, this one, out of a seed mix in France, came out yellow.

California Poppy, Eschscholzia californica. The California poppy was named by German botanist Adelbert von Chamisso after Johann Friedrich von Eschscholtz during a California Expedition in the early 1800s. These are commonly seen along Southern California highways and in distubed area (such as after fires).

My Poppies have finally started blooming. I was wondering if the little guys were going to make it to blooming size before the summer heat wiped them out. They got a late start but it looks like I may still get a hillside of poppies after all. Here's a picture of one of the first to bloom and of the patch of poppies that it was growing in.

Don't You Love Spring?

California poppy, Eschscholzia californica. Some people say San Diego doesn't have seasons. After all, what are seasons without snow? San Diego gets just cold enough to frost in some areas and snow in the hills. That's enough to provide a decent dormancy for peaches but not so cold that you can't grow bananas nearby! It's also cold enough to provide for a glorious burst of flowers in the Spring! I went hiking on Sunday and the hills back in Mission Trails Park near Poway were just covered with Poppies (2 species) and Lupine (3 species), making for an amazing display!
A few willing subjects are posing here.