Eschscholzia californica var. maritima, Coastal California Poppy seed
A hardy perennial with cheerful yellow blooms from summer into fall. Pollinator favorite, thrives in dry soils. Covers 25 sq ft.
From Northwest Meadowscape's website: Coastal poppy produces golden-yellow flowers with orange centers (in contrast to the typical orange flowers of California poppy), and spreading, low-growing blue-grey foliage.
This plant is best adapted to dry, full sun, locations, and can integrate well into very grassy locations, even persisting among invasive grasses on dry slopes. Few wildflowers are so well adapted to drought, and summer heat as this plant -- an excellent option for harsh sites including sidewalk adjacent plantings subjected to urban heat.
Coastal poppy is strongly deer resistant, and visited by numerous bee species for pollen especially honey bees, green metallic sweat bees, and most notably bumble bees. Even quite a few of our less common bumble bee species are strongly attracted to Coastal poppy, almost “swimming” in a circular pattern inside the bouncing flowers as they vigorously vibrate loose copious amounts of pollen.
If you are looking for a wildflower that can provide completely carefree late summer color after everything else has turned golden and dormant, this plant is it.
How to Use Your Cover Crop & Native Seed Packets
Each seed packet is measured to cover 25 sq ft or 100 sq ft, depending on the size you chose.
Sowing Instructions
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When to sow: Fall is ideal in Portland. The soil is still warm for germination, and fall rains keep seedlings watered. Some seeds (like meadowfoam or clovers) can also be spring-sown.
How to sow:
- Rake the soil lightly to create good seed-to-soil contact.
- Scatter the contents of the packet evenly over the area (don’t worry about perfect spacing).
- Gently press or rake seeds in so they make contact with the soil. Do not bury deeply — most native and cover crop seeds need light to germinate.
- Water: Fall rains usually do the job, but water lightly if the weather turns dry.
What to Expect
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Traditional Cover Crops (rye, peas, fava, daikon, crimson clover, buckwheat, mustard): Grow quickly, protect soil, and build fertility. In spring, chop them down or mow before they set seed. Some (like rye) can also be crimped into a mulch.
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Living Mulches (red fescue, dwarf yarrow, creeping thyme, low clovers): These stay low and provide long-term weed suppression and ground cover. Shear lightly as needed, but they don’t require replanting every year.
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Pollinator Wildflowers (Clarkia, poppy, gilia, flax, meadowfoam, coneflower, blanketflower): Not classic cover crops, but they add beauty and attract bees, butterflies, and beneficial insects. Many reseed naturally.
Spring & Summer Management
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Chop-and-drop: Cut plants at the base and leave them as mulch (peas, fava, clovers).
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Mow: Use on ryegrass or cereals to turn them into quick mulch.
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Crimp: Flatten tall rye or grains at flowering to create a long-lasting weed barrier.
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Shear perennials: Yarrow, thyme, and sedges can be trimmed back after bloom.
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Self-seeders: Flowers like poppy, clarkia, and meadowfoam will often reseed themselves. Leave some seed heads if you want them back next year.
Quick Tips
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Cover crops = soil builders.
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Living mulches = weed suppressors.
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Wildflowers = pollinator magnets.
Tulle or row cover can protect young seedlings from birds and slugs until established.
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