Starting at £6.99
Approx 650 seeds per gram
‘Red Chief’ is a striking red-flowered form of the California poppy, belonging to Eschscholzia californica.
Flower colour: Deep red to crimson with a silky sheen
Flower shape: Classic cup-shaped poppy blooms
Foliage: Finely divided, blue-green, feathery leaves
Height: 25–35 cm (10–14 inches)
Spread: 20–30 cm (8–12 inches)
Habit: Low, bushy, free-flowering annual (short-lived perennial in mild climates)
Thrives in full sun
Prefers poor to moderately fertile, well-drained soil
Very drought-tolerant once established
Blooms late spring through summer
Flowers close at night and on cloudy days
Direct sow in early spring after frost
Or autumn sowing in mild climates for earlier blooms
Sow directly where plants are to grow (does not transplant well).
Scatter seeds and lightly press into soil — do not bury deeply (needs light).
Thin seedlings to 20–25 cm apart.
Water lightly until established.
Germination: 10–15 days
Avoid overwatering or rich fertilizer (too much foliage, fewer flowers).
Deadheading extends bloom time, though plants may self-seed naturally.
Excellent for wildflower meadows and low-maintenance gardens.
Borders
Rock gardens
Wildflower mixes
Containers
Pollinator-friendly plantings
‘Red Chief’ adds a bold splash of warm red colour while keeping the airy, delicate look typical of California poppies.
25g | 50g | 100g | 250g | 500g | 1kg
Sowing & Growing
Direct sow eschscholzia seed outdoors where they are to grow from March to May or in September for overwintering. Autumn sowings will flower in late spring. Choose a position in full sun on any poor, well-drained soil which has been raked to a fine tilth. Sow seeds thinly, at a depth of 1cm (1/2″) in drills spaced 15cm (6″) apart and cover seed with its own depth of soil to exclude light. Water the ground regularly, especially during dry periods. Germination usually takes 14-21 days. When seedlings are large enough to handle, thin them out to 15cm (6″) apart.
Alternatively, sow California poppies indoors from February to March at a temperature of 15-21C (60-70F). When seedlings are large enough to handle, transplant and grow them on in cooler conditions until large enough to plant outdoors.
| Packet Size | 25g | 50g | 100g | 250g | 500g | 1kg |
|---|---|
| Hardiness & Lifecycle | Hardy Annual |
