Golden Flowers

California Poppies - a Picture from the Flower Show.

Each year, while visiting the State Annual Flower show at the Governor House here, I would marvel at these feather weight  Golden Yellow Flowers of California Poppies. However, this year, I got Lucky.... and  have them growing in our garden as well, all thx to the new gardener, who planted them for us this winter season. I love their flamboyant golden yellow colour, their sunny disposition adding a cheerful look to our spring garden along with the Calendulas, the Nasturtiums and the Marigolds, all of them...flashing almost the same Sunny hues.

Today, as I came across the first few Poppy Flowers unfurling n Blooming in the garden, I just couldn't curtail my excitement of sharing some pictures of the same here via my Blog Evergreen Tree...

Beautiful in Golden Orange

An upright, compact annual or tender perennial native to California and the southwestern United States. Extremely drought tolerant, ideal for arid environments. The brilliant orange, cup-shaped flowers, are 2-4 inches in diameter, borne individually on long stalks. Prefers full sun in light to sandy soils. Remarkably uniform and neat in appearnce. A popular variety to press. Not hardy below 20F.

Average planting success with this species: 70%
Height: 12-18 inches
Germination: 15-30 days
Optimum soil temperature for germination: 60-70F
Sowing depth: 1/16"
Blooming period: April-August
Average seeds per pound: 293,000
Seeding rate: 8 lbs. per acre
Suggested use: Borders, rock gardens, meadows, mixes.
Miscellaneous: An excellent color accent to any wildflower planting. The state flower of California. Blooms close each night at sunset or on dull days. The finely divided foliage is bluish-green in color making identification easy prior to flowering.

Info Courtesy: Internet Sources

The Bud... @ Eschsholtzia californica

Breaking Open

Unfurling... The State Flower of California in our Garden

a.k.a Flame Flower

California Poppy a.k.a Cup of Gold

My entry for Todays Flower # 130.