Re: Eschscholzia californica

>I, too, have observed California poppies looking unfazed (seemingly) by

>a hard freeze. But I've also seen them look fairly wilted and fatigued,

>though not quite "toast." I'm guessing that the difference between
>looking fine and fatigued might be the amount of moisture within the
>plant during a freeze. I think this might vary greatly, depending on
>where the plant is growing, its age (larger plants seem to wilt more)
>and whether it is exposed to full-sun most of the day. Some plants do
>not like sun beating on them and stimulating cellular activity while
>recovering from a freeze — well, that's my theory, which isn't
>scientific, but based on observation.
>
>But wilted or not, it seems these undervalued plants rebound from the
>harshest conditions, which makes them ideal for fringe (less
maintained,
>less irrigated, etc.) areas of gardens, or wild gardens, such as
>man-made wildflower meadows. Their tuberous root seems to give them an
>advantage over other California natives. Silene californica (Indian
>Pink) has a similar root.
>
>Some final words in praise of Eschscholzia californica: It's deer proof

>(not just deer resistent), Xeric, self-sowing (but not invasive) and a
>great color foil for all our purple/crimson flowers. Also, I've yet to
>observe any pest that attacks it.
>
>Their one drawback: They don't transplant easily because their ferny
>foliage seems to be loosely attached that that root. Handle with care,
>if you buy one at a nursery.
>
>Paul Harrar
>Nevada City, CA
>Sunset Zone 7, 2,700 ft.
>
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