Mamie D. Lee Garden

Mamie D. Lee Garden
Spring Leeks

Tuesday, May 29, 2018

Flower Boxes Blooming with Poppies


Flanders field poppy, Papaver rhoeas, in bloom.  (Photo courtesy of A. Cuellar)

The old flower boxes outside the Mamie D. Lee Community Garden are full of red poppies - Flanders field poppies - blooming just in time for Memorial Day. There are many ways to remember and honor those who have died while serving our country  - some lay wreaths or place flags at gravesites. Some have parades. I grow poppies, the flower that has symbolized the horror of war and its enormous cost in human lives for 100 years.

During World War I, the poppies grew abundantly where the soil was disturbed by shelling, fighting, and newly dug graves. The blossoms must have been incredible, for they have been described in verse and are used in remembrance ceremonies around the world.

In Flanders Fields
by John McCrae

  In Flanders fields the poppies blow 
Between the crosses row on row, 
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly 
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago 
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, 
Loved and were loved and now we lie 
In Flanders fields. 

Take up our quarrel with the foe: 
To you, from failing hands we throw 
The torch; be yours to hold it high. 
If ye break faith with us who die 
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow, 
In Flanders fields.  

These flowers are annuals, also known as common field poppies or corn poppies. The botanical name is Papaver rhoeas. The poppies will self sow; that is, the plants will grow wherever the seeds fall and the conditions are good.  Somehow, the poppies know to bloom in time for Memorial Day. 

Note: This post reflects the views of the author, not necessarily all of the members of the Mamie D. Lee Community Garden.