California Poppy* Eschscholzia californica

A true perennial, this wildflower is often grown as an annual. Color varies from pale yellow to deep orange. Flowers spring to summer and reseeds easily. Blossoms close at night. Plant seeds in fall, broadcasting on well-drained soil. Little irrigation required.

Plant size: 8-24" height x 12" wide

Sky Lupine* Lupinus nanus

An annual that covers many local hillsides and fields in full sun with loam to clay soil. Pea-shaped spring-time flowers are a rich blue, tipped with white in dense spikes at the end of stems. Plant seeds in fall or winter. Self-seeds readily if little there is competition; good for barren banks. Little irrigation required.

Plant size: 8-24" high x 9-12" wide

Tidy Tips* Layia platyglossa

A showy yellow-white annual, this wildflower prefers clay to loam soil. Plant seeds in fall or early spring in areas of full sun. A rapid grower, blooms appear spring through early summer. Self-seeds and will naturalize on banks if grass is minimal. Very drought tolerant.

Plant size: 6" high x 12" wide

Globe Gilia+Gilia capitata

Related to phlox, this is annual has 1-2" clusters of spring blue flowers that look like pincushions. Used by many butterflies. Plant seed in fall or early spring in well-drained soil. Likes rocky areas with lots of sun. Little to moderate irrigation required.

Plant size: 8-30" high x 8" wide.

Photo Credit:
* Br. Alfred Brousseau, Saint Mary's College
+Charles E. Jones

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