How to grow poppies this Remembrance Day

Are you inspired by the fields of red poppies that grew across WWI battlefields in France and Belgium? These poignant flowers grow well here at home.

Sow seeds in autumn when the weather cools, directly on the soil surface in the garden.

At 11am on November 11 each year we mark the day World War I ended in 1918 by observing a minute’s silence in respect for all those who served and died in wars around the world. The red Flanders poppy (Papaver rhoeas) is the international symbol of Remembrance Day, inspired by the fields of red poppies that grew where many of the battles were fought across France and Belgium. Also called corn or field poppy, it is an annual that thrives in disturbed ground. In many areas, Flanders poppies self-seed so prolifically that it’s a roadside and meadow weed, albeit a beautiful one.

In Australia it is not regarded as a problem weed. If you’d like to grow these poppies, sow seeds in autumn when the weather cools, directly on the soil surface in the garden. They like full sun and well-drained soil. The seeds are edible, with a nutty flavour. Other flower colours have been bred from the wild red poppy, such as pink, lilac and white, as well as bicolours and doubles, called Shirley poppies.

Sales of red poppy badges from RSL Australia for Remembrance Day support Australian veterans and their families.

Bloomin’ Lovely

New from the breeder of world-famous Flower Carpet roses is the Showpiece series of highly fragrant shrub roses in four colours.

Showpiece ‘Lipstick’.

Showpiece ‘Berry’.

They bear a succession of large blooms of old-world romantic style but modern disease resistance, on a compact bush just under a metre high. Visit tesselaar.com for details.

Showpiece ‘Blush’.

Showpiece ‘Champagne’.

Q&A

We’re recycling some old guttering into planters on the west-facing fence next to the vegie patch. I’ll grow strawberries, but what other edibles would be good?

Christine Potter, Gold Coast

This is a great way to maximise growing space. As they’re shallow, you’ll need to choose shallow-rooted plants and they’ll need daily watering or irrigation. Strawberries are ideal as the fruit stays clean and dry. You could also grow most herbs, various salad and Asian greens, radishes, spring onions, and in cool months try peas for their fresh shoots. Add some nasturtiums (also edible), alyssum and marigolds in season to attract pollinators and help repel pests.

An old onion lurking in the fridge sprouted green shoots so I planted it. It’s growing well – can I expect a new onion?

Linda Nathaniel, Sydney

Onions are sensitive to day length and won’t form bulbs if planted at the wrong time for that variety and your climate. You might get lucky, but at least you will get green shoots that you can harvest and eat. No-Waste Kitchen Gardening by Katie Elzer-Peters is all about re-growing your leftover vegetables.

We had to replace our beautiful Illawarra flame tree four years ago but the new one has never flowered. Why?

Petrina Schull, Brisbane

Brachychiton acerifolius usually takes seven to eight years to flower – but it can take up to 20 years. It is usually deciduous in the tropical dry season and flowers on bare branches just before the new leaves appear in summer. Flowering can be erratic; the best displays might only be every five years and sometimes trees flower on one side only.

Send your questions to [e-mail]. The best question for November wins a hamper of premium fertilisers and biological soil improvers from Neutrog worth $150.

Fertilisers and biological soil improvers from Neutrog.