Red, orange or scarlet?
Poppy red is a clear scarlet. In bright sun it can read as orange, and that is where the common question of whether poppies are red or orange comes from. Papaver rhoeas is the red one, with a dark patch at the base of each petal, while Iceland and Oriental poppies often lean orange. The shade varies a little with age and light.
Why red carries the memory
After the First World War, red corn poppies became the emblem of those who died in battle, partly because they grew on churned-up ground. In Australia the red poppy turns up around Anzac Day on 25 April, and again on Remembrance Day, 11 November, at 11 in the morning. Sprigs of rosemary are the other Anzac plant.
Meaning in the garden
Red poppies have traditionally been linked with remembrance, and in the language of flowers they have also been linked with consolation. They look best in a drift, with the paper petals catching light.
- Sow in autumn in most of temperate Australia, or early spring in cold areas.
- Choose a sunny, open site, with soil that drains.
- Let a few seed pods ripen so they return next year.
As cut stems
Red poppies are brief visitors indoors, lasting about three to five days. Their milky sap runs freely, so searing the cut ends helps. Wear gloves if you have sensitive skin.
Warning
The plant has the mild sedative alkaloid rhoeadine, so do not let pets or children chew it.
