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Madonna And The Poppy Flower Have Fame In Common

Copyright © 2006-2008 Wesley Berry, AAF


Born August 16, 1958, pop superstar Madonna was born in the month of the poppy. The poppy certainly seems to be an appropriate flower for Madonna since it is a symbol of fame - something Madonna has certainly not seen a shortage of.

The poppy dates back to the time of the ancient Sumerians who call the flower hul gil, which means "flower of joy." The flower's beauty is certainly the cause of much joy for those who grow it, but the poppy also has a dark history that may have lent it the name as well. The poppy is the source of opium, a dangerous drug that spurred a massive trade and rampant smuggling. But, the poppy is also the source of the powerful pain killer morphine, which is widely used because it is reliable, rarely dangerous, and relieves pain for a longer period of time than other painkillers.

Although the poppy is commercially cultivated for medicinal purposes, many gardeners appreciate the poppy for its ability to grow in cooler temperatures, hardiness, and gorgeous blooms. It is also very easy to grow and does well in most types of soil with the exception of clay.

Poppies are available in many different varieties, including:



  • Oriental Poppy: This type has a very short-lived bloom, but yields excellent color. There are a few different kinds of oriental poppies, such as Turkenlouis, which has fringed petals of bright red, and Patty's Plum, which are a lovely plum purple.

  • Alpine Poppy: The alpine poppy grows to a height of approximately 10 inches and blooms in early summer. Their stems are long and wiry so that the flowers rise high above the foliage. Color varieties include white and yellow.

  • Iceland Poppy: Iceland poppies bloom as early as May and grow up to 24 inches tall with two- or three-inch wide blooms. These poppies will self-sow if the area is sunny and the soil has good drainage.

  • Corn Poppy: Corn poppy blooms in June with a single flower that comes in every color of the spectrum. Corn poppies are easy to differentiate from other poppies because there is a dark spot near the base of each petal.

    Poppies can be started indoors from seed or the seeds can be planted directly in the flowerbed. The trick here is to make sure you don't bury the seeds to deep over water them. Seeds should be spread on tamped down soil then covered with a bare minimum of soil to allow for quick germination with leaves poking through as early as 10 days from planting. Some watering is needed, but do not allow the seeds to stand in water.

    Considering the poppy's many different looks and the fact that it means fame leads one to wonder whether this birth flower of August influenced Madonna's great fame and propensity for an ever-changing look. Maybe it did, maybe it didn't, but regardless the poppy is a favorite for many, just as Madonna is.




    About The Author:
    Wesley Berry is member of the American Academy of Floriculture (AAF) and President of Wesley Berry Flowers, a successful multi-million dollar floral business that was established in 1946. He also works with funeral-homes.net to provide useful information about funeral homes across the nation. He has been recognized by florists nationwide as a leader in the flower business. Visit Wesley Berry Flowers on the web at www.800wesleys.com

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