Shirley Poppy Seeds – 'Falling in Love' – Papaver rhoeas

A Romance in Every Petal

Shirley Poppy 'Falling in Love' (Papaver rhoeas) is a named variety of the classic Shirley Poppy, and it lives up to its name completely. Blooming in the most enchanting shades of soft blush pink and white — often with a delicate picotee edge or a dreamy gradient from petal tip to base — this variety brings an undeniably romantic, heart-fluttering quality to any cottage garden or cutting patch. If you've ever wanted a garden that looks like a watercolour come to life, this is it.

Why Gardeners Love It

• 🌸 Breathtaking bicolour blooms — soft pink and white flowers with a romantic, ruffled, tissue-paper quality
• ✂️ Beautiful cut flower — pick in bud for longest vase life; stunning in soft, romantic arrangements
• 🐝 Pollinator magnet — bees and hoverflies adore the open, nectar-rich flowers
• 🌱 Easy to grow — direct sow or start in trays; a rewarding variety for all levels
• 🌿 Self-seeds freely — naturalises in borders for repeat displays year after year

Growing Tips for New Zealand

'Falling in Love' is grown exactly like all Shirley Poppies — which is to say, beautifully easily. Direct sow onto the surface of well-prepared soil in a sunny spot (do not cover — seeds need light to germinate), or for best results with these precious seeds, start in trays on the surface of moist seed-raising mix in a cool, bright spot. Prick out carefully once seedlings are large enough to handle. Sow in autumn or early spring for best results in NZ. Thin or transplant to 15–20 cm apart. Plants grow to 60–90 cm tall and bloom from late spring through summer.

What's in the Packet

Each packet contains 30 seeds of Shirley Poppy (Papaver rhoeas) 'Falling in Love'.

📄 Want the full growing guide? The Poppy (Papaver rhoeas) Propagation Guide — a detailed digital PDF covering sowing times, germination, spacing, and much more, is available as an instant download. 🌱😊

Also available: the Professional Manual — a comprehensive digital PDF covering core propagation principles, greenhouse management, and printable worksheets.