Good plant, mediocre results — what went wrong with my California Poppy

California Poppy is clearly a great plant — I can see that from other people's results. Mine has been decent but not spectacular, and I think I know why.

I underestimated the importance of allowing plants to set seed before cutting at the end of season in the early stages and paid for it. dog walkers or trampling on unmown meadow areas also knocked the plant back at a critical point. It lives in a wildflower meadow replacing lawn areas which is probably not quite right but it's the best I can do in my space. self-seeding and naturalising without annual replanting is visible but muted. early spring bulbs and annual seedling germination gave me hope — there are glimpses of what it could be. Three stars for now with potential for four.