Poppies are cool-season flowers that thrive in the mild months here — plant them in fall for color through winter and early spring, or wait until February if you missed the autumn window. They want full sun and decent drainage, nothing fussy about soil.

Direct sow seed where you want them to bloom, since they resent transplanting, or grab a 4" pot and tuck it into a border while the weather still cools things down. The papery petals won't last long in our heat, so enjoy them while they're here.