The care secret that transformed my California Poppy

I'd had California Poppy for about eight months with acceptable but unremarkable results. Then I started really paying attention to allowing plants to set seed before cutting at the end of season and the difference over the next two months was dramatic.

exceptional wildlife value for bees, butterflies, and hoverflies became much more pronounced. The plant in a roadside or verge planting in a community space now looks like a completely different specimen. cutting back meadow areas in autumn to remove thatch confirmed that I'd finally unlocked what this plant can do. poor germination in compacted or clay soils has been less of a problem since I got the overall conditions right. If your California Poppy is underwhelming, look at allowing plants to set seed before cutting at the end of season first.