Red poppy seeds remain viable in the soil for long periods of time until the soil is disturbed – hence their prolific growth and flowering in war-torn areas during and following World War I. Interestingly, P. rhoeas is an annual plant (hardy to USDA Zone 8) considered to be an agricultural weed throughout much of Europe, northern Africa and temperate Asia. Their presence inspired a poem written by Canadian Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae titled “In Flanders Field”. Despite the immense destruction, red poppies ( Papaver rhoeas also known as the common poppy, Flanders poppy, field poppy, corn poppy and corn rose) grew among the carnage. There are many sources on the subject, and if intrigued, I suggest you begin by reading this article from the History Channel.Ī look back in history reveals how World War I ravaged the landscape of Europe while claiming millions of military lives from 1914 to 1918. I have long known that the poppy is a widely recognized symbol for Memorial Day but had not delved into the history of how that came to be. If brilliant orange is not your color, there are numerous hybrids available in varying shades of salmon, red, pink, and white. Some are available via seed while others are propagated by division.
REMEMBRANCE POPPY FIELDS PATCH
The poppy patch that I admire each year has brilliant orange-red flowers. It blooms in late May through early June and then goes dormant through the summer. orientale is a mainstay herbaceous perennial in many Midwest gardens. Then you can catch a glimpse of the breath-taking blooms and fuzzy flower buds of the oriental poppy ( Papaver orientale). You would never even know it is there – unless you happened by in late May around Memorial Day. It sits at the edge of a drive just off the main road. There is a round patch of poppies in the small town I live in.
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