A year of growing California Poppy — detailed seasonal notes

Here are my notes from twelve months of growing California Poppy:

Spring: early spring bulbs and annual seedling germination. This was the moment that confirmed the whole venture. I focused on allowing plants to set seed before cutting at the end of season during this period which set up the rest of the year.

self-seeding and naturalising without annual replanting developed steadily through the warmer months. poor germination in compacted or clay soils appeared in summer and required prompt treatment. The plant in a wildlife pond margin planting performed better than I'd expected for the position. Overall: a rewarding year. The investment of attention is paid back generously.