Flanders Poppy

So common and widespread, its origin remains debated. Prior to the advent of modern herbicides and because the seeds survive for many years in the soil, it was common to see farm fields so filled with them that it looked as if they were under cultivation. This gave rise to its symbol as, and association with, agricultural fertility. This is also the reason it has many common names, such as, 'Field Poppy', 'Corn Poppy', 'Flanders Poppy', 'Red Weed', 'Coquelicot', and simply 'Red Poppy'.

The Red Corn Poppy became forever entwined with World War I and as a symbol of remembrance for the soldiers that died in battle. Due to troop movements, trenching, and extensive disturbance of the soil on battlegrounds, the corn poppies that survived and bloomed in areas between the trench lines and the decimated "no man's lands" on the Western front became known as "The Thin Red Line."

After presiding over the funeral of friend and fellow soldier Alexis Helmer, Canadian Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae, M.D. penned what is now the famous poem entitled, "In Flanders Fields."
This poem's reference to the red poppies that grew over the graves of fallen soldiers stirred American professor and humanitarian, Moina Belle Michael (1869-1944), into developing the flower into one of the world's most recognized memorial symbols, the "Remembrance Poppy."

These artificial representations of the poppy are distributed by various veterans groups on Memorial Day and worm as a symbol of remembrance for those who lost their lives in service of their country.

'Red Corn Poppy' plants grow twelve to thirty inches tall, prefer locations that receive partial sun and have dry soil. Its bright red flowers bloom in the summer.

Each packet contains 0.25 gram, which is approximately 1000 seeds. 1/4 ounce is approx. 22,400 seeds, and 1 ounce is approx. 112,000 seeds.