Rogue Poppy

A week or two ago four planters appeared around our village War Memorial. They looked a bit bedraggled but I guessed that they were poppies for the commemoration of 100 years since the onset of World War 1 next month.

All the churches were encouraged to plant poppies this year which ours did back in April but there is no sign of any flowers. Like wise I a bought a packet of seeds at RHS Harlow Carr from which 25p was donated to the Royal Chelsea Hospital but again no show as yet.

Two weeks ago whilst awaiting the arrival of the riders in the Tour de France I was hit on the head by a freebie from one of the promotional caravan vehicles. It was 'Explore Arras - Terre de Memoire' and amongst all the packing was a packet of mixed poppy and cornflower seeds. Haven't sown them yet as it seems that we have little luck with these lovely wild flowers.

The poppies in the planters are now all starting to flower and should look good on the 4th of August, the official commemoration day, but as you can see here there is a rogue pink poppy amongst the crimson red ones. The hoverflies seem to like it!