Unpack bare roots or rhizomes on arrival and plant them within a week. Until then, keep them somewhere cool and ensure the roots remain slightly moist, never wet.
-20%
Deluxe
Refresh your flowerbeds with the fruity tones of Papaver 'Watermelon'! Bursting with big, silky blooms in May, a few groups of these clump-forming perennial oriental poppies will be a tantalising treat for the eyes every year. The flashy, dark pink Papaver 'Watermelon' puts on a great show and, best of all for busy gardeners, it requires very little in terms of time and care from you to do its job. It’s low maintenance, hardy and resilient, so once you’ve planted this poppy and it’s settled in, you can virtually leave it to its own devices, outside all year round.
Typical of oriental poppies, the impressive dark pink flowers seem to appear out of nowhere — look forward to that cheery moment as they suddenly pop from green bud into full bloom! Although the flower burst is sudden, it’s not short-lived. The petals of Papaver 'Watermelon' are thick, resilient and surprisingly long-lasting.
Papaver 'Watermelon' flowers in May and makes a fantastic companion for other May flowers such as Dutch Iris, peonies and alliums. Papavers are happier in borders than patio containers. Find a spot for your Papaver orientale 'Watermelon' in a sheltered flower bed and be sure to dig over the area to loosen up the soil and remove any weeds before planting. This plant settles well into free-draining soils with regular watering. In heavier soil types with a high clay content, it’s better to pot up your bare root Papaver and grow it on outdoors until it’s a bit bigger before planting into your border.
Quantity
Plant profile
Plant calendar
Remove the packaging straight away, check the compost and water thoroughly if dry. Check the plant’s hardiness before placing it outdoors. Plant into a border or permanent container within a month, choosing the position recommended for the variety. Keep the top of the root ball level with the surrounding soil, firm gently and water well.
Soak the roots in water for three to six hours immediately before planting. Keep any crown, buds or emerging shoots above the water where possible.
Pot most bare roots into 15–20cm pots filled with peat-free multipurpose compost. Large or depth-sensitive roots, including peonies, are often best planted directly into borders.
Arrange the roots naturally without bending them. Cover the roots completely, positioning the crown and buds at the depth recommended for that particular perennial.
Keep pots in a sheltered outdoor position and water whenever the compost begins to dry. Grow on until roots hold the compost together when lifted from the pot.
Plant into a suitable border or permanent container once well rooted. Add a label and water regularly throughout the first growing season while the perennial establishes.
- Botanical name
- Papaver orientale 'Watermelon'
- Flower colour
- Dark pink
- Established height
- 50-70cm
- Established spread
- 20-30cm
- Growing skill
- Easy to grow
- Habit
-
Upright
Clump-forming - Hardiness
- Fully hardy
- Leaf colour
- Green
- Mouse resistant
- Yes
- Plant size
- 1
- Plant spacing
- 10 plants per m2
- Pollinator friendly
- Yes
- Position
- Sheltered
- Rabbit resistant
- Yes
- RHS Award (AGM)
- Yes
- Scented
- No
- Soil acidity
- Any
- Soil moisture
- Free draining
- Soil type
-
Loam
Sandy
Stony
Multipurpose compost
Loam-based compost - Suitable for
-
Large containers
Borders
Gravel gardens
Wildlife gardens
Cottage gardens
Low maintenance gardens
Cut flower gardens - Sunlight
-
Full sun
Partial shade - Toxicity
- No report
- Years to establish
- 1-2 years
Good for cutting
Pollinator-friendly
Thrives in full sun
RHS Recommended
Perennial
Fully hardy
Packed peat-free
Low maintenance
Attracts wildlife
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Papaver 'Watermelon' reviews
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