The rumble in the… garden: Papaver Red Rumble

I hope you’re not thinking this is just another red poppy – because it’s far from it! Poppies are an iconic bloom that we all recognise, whether for their links with Remembrance, or having spotted them growing across the UK at the roadside, in country fields and dotted about waste disposal sites. But there’s something special about Papaver Red Rumble that sets it apart from the rest…

 

How to care for Papaver Red Rumble Flowering time: May to June Location: Borders, pots, balconies, wildlife gardens, cottage gardens, cut flower gardens Soil: Well-draining, fertile soil Light: Full sun Water: Water throughout the blooming season Size: 90cm height, 50cm width Care: Deadhead spent poppy flowers to encourage more blooms. Cut back foliage to ground level in autumn.

 

What’s different about Papaver Red Rumble?

You might think of poppies as small, delicate things that perish at the first sign of a forceful breeze, but Papaver Red Rumble will change your perspective. Built on strong, thick stems that, while still requiring a fairly sheltered position, will hold their own throughout the summer, Red Rumble features side plate-sized blooms that overshadow their more fragile cousins.

These extra large flowers are made up of silky petals with ruffled edges, looking much like a stunning silk organza skirt turned upside down. Their crimson colour is offset by four velvety black dots in the centre of each flower, a characteristic of some poppies caused by extreme concentrations of red pigment.

The poppy origin story While poppies are closely associated with the UK and some Commonwealth countries, there is speculation that these flowers may have originated from southern Mesopotamia, a historical region of West Asia. It is recognised that the first recorded use of opium (the dried latex obtained from poppies, which is used for medicinal purposes and in the illegal recreational drug trade) occurred here, before being transported along the silk road (the network of Eurasian trade routes) to Europe and beyond.  The use of the poppy as a symbol of Remembrance stems from Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae’s poem, ‘In Flanders Fields’ in 1915. The poem inspired Moina Michael, an American War Secretary, to buy the flowers to sell to her friends in order to raise money for servicemen in need after the First World War. The Royal British Legion adopted the poppy as their symbol in 1921, launching the first ever Poppy Appeal on 11th November that year.

How was Papaver Red Rumble created?

Papaver Red Rumble was created by Herbert Oudshoorn, a small breeder in the Netherlands.

Herbert tells us, “I had a variety with a high leaf quality and crossed it with a red variety, and Red Rumble was one of the seedlings. I selected this variety for its leaf quality, colour of the flower and because it is a short variety.

“It took five years before Plantipp added it to their assortment. For the future, I am working on a Pink and Orange variety.”

Watch this space!

Where can you plant Papaver Red Rumble?

Like most poppies, Papaver Red Rumble prefers a sheltered spot in full sun, planted in well-draining, fertile soil. You can weave its seeds throughout borders, or grow it in containers. It’s also magnificent as a cut flower, transforming bouquets as a large, focal bloom – you’d only need three or four for a really fantastic display!

Where can you buy Papaver Red Rumble?

You can buy Papaver Red Rumble from Hayloft, Thompson & Morgan and Crocus in the UK. 

Plant of the Month is sponsored by Plantipp, a company based in The Netherlands who handle the introduction of new plants into Europe.

See every Plant of the Month here.

Images courtesy of Plantipp.