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Tufted california-poppy

Eschscholzia caespitosa

Last reviewed: August 2026

Tufted california-poppy (Eschscholzia caespitosa)
Photo: (c) Tim Messick, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Tim Messick

Light

full sun

Water

low

Size

4"–12" H × 6"–10" W

Bloom

Mar, Apr, May

Native to

CA, OR

Pollinators

bees

Before you buy

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A small, tufted annual poppy relative with finely divided blue-green foliage and cheerful bright yellow cup-shaped flowers held on thin stems. It stays compact and mounded through its short spring bloom season.

Wildlife value

The open cup flowers are readily worked by native bees for pollen during spring wildflower season.

Common questions

How much sun does Tufted california-poppy need?
Tufted california-poppy grows best in full sun conditions.
When does Tufted california-poppy bloom?
Tufted california-poppy blooms in March, April, and May.
Where is Tufted california-poppy native?
Tufted california-poppy (Eschscholzia caespitosa) is native to CA, OR, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.
What pollinators does Tufted california-poppy attract?
Tufted california-poppy draws bees.

Native range data from vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

Ready to grow Tufted california-poppy? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.

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