We were all exclaiming, "It's hard to believe May is here already," only a few weeks ago. But here we are, approaching graduations, the conclusion of the school year, the unofficial start of summer, and a three-day weekend.
But let's not forget that this weekend is also Memorial Day, an opportunity to pay tribute to those who have served or are serving in any of the numerous branches of the armed forces.
Many of us gardeners will be out planting, pruning, mowing, and watering throughout the holiday weekend. The poppy is one plant you might want to add to your garden, as it symbolizes Memorial Day.
The attractiveness of poppies in your home's landscaping can't be overstated. The blossoms are fragile and resemble tissue paper flowers, but once they take root, they become remarkably hardy and carefree. They make an excellent perennial in your garden here in the Midwest.
Poppies, or Papaver somniferum, grow to a height of two to three feet. It grows best in full sun and needs rich, well-drained soil. When the earth warms up in the early spring, seeds can be sown.
After sowing, keep the soil damp until the seeds sprout. If starting from seed isn't your style, many garden stores provide plants that have already begun.
But keep in mind that certain poppies are also annuals, so make sure your seeds or seedlings are suitable for Zone 4. Always read the label, as I always advise.
Poppies come in a wide range of variations, such as the oriental poppy, which has ruffled and double-fringed blossoms. Alternatively, go for the Icelandic poppy, a transient perennial in our area.
The red "buddy" poppies we see on Memorial Day are derived from the Shirley poppy, also called the Flanders poppy. Additionally, baking uses the opium poppy, sometimes referred to as the birdseed poppy.
These variations are all available in a range of hues. They are easy to maintain and have relatively few illnesses or pest issues. Poppies, no matter which kind you select, will steal the show in your garden.
The Germans started using chlorine gas against their adversaries during World War I. Within the first ten minutes of the May 1915 action in Flanders Field, six thousand French fatalities had been reported. Red poppies flourished around the graves of the fallen in spite of the use of pesticides, mortar bombardment, and other environmental issues.
The American Legion family adopted poppies as their official flower in September 1920 as a way to honor the men and women who served in that war. The American Legion made the distribution of red paper poppies a nationwide initiative in 1924.
Since 1975, we have buried flowers in honor of my father and, more recently, my mother, and we have positioned a flag in a star-shaped holder on his grave to represent his veteran status. During the Korean War, my father was a staff sergeant in the Air Force.
He had been a member of the American Legion in Lonsdale since he was a child, and every Memorial Day we went to their memorial service. We marched up the hill from the American Legion in Lonsdale to Calvary Cemetery, where we heard speeches, watched the laying of wreaths, covered our hearts during the distant playing of Taps, and plugged our ears during the gun salute. I also purchase my red poppies annually.
We are grateful to those who have served and will serve in the future.