Field Poppy
 Papaver rhoeas

Other Names:   Common Poppy, Corn Rose, Remembrance Poppy
Distribution:  Native of cornfields which was once very common throughout Britain , but less so nowadays due to modern farming methods.
Habitat:  Wide variety of soil types including poor soils and alkaline soils.  It thrives in sunny situations.
Description: Native annual of cornfields which was once common but is now becoming rare due to modern agricultural methods.   It is of medium height with bright scarlet red flowers from May to October.  Although each flower only lasts for one day, a vigorous plant can produce over 400 flowers during the summer.
Wildlife:  It is a good plant for attracting wildlife to your garden.
Uses:  Traditionally it was used as a remedy for a number of ailments including aches and pains and gout.  A syrup produced from the petals was used to encourage infants to sleep. 
Other Notes:   In common with other cornfield annuals, field poppies can be encouraged to return each year by allowing the seed to fall before cutting back the dead plants.  It thrives in disturbed ground, so re-cultivate the ground the following spring. The association of poppies and cornfields is very ancient: the Roman Goddess of corn, Ceres, was depicted wearing a wreath of poppies.  

In more recent times, it has become the symbol of Remembrance Day.  Due to the extent of ground disturbance, it was the flower which bloomed in between the trench lines and no man's land on the Western front in Flanders after battles of the First World War (1914-18). 

Sowing Instructions for Seeds:  Sow seed in situ in early spring. Alternatively, a sowing in situ during autumn will produce larger and earlier-flowering plants.  The seed can also be sown in March in the greenhouse. Prick seedlings out into pots & plant out in May.