The Shirley poppy was created from 1880 onwards by the Reverend William Wilks, vicar of the parish of Shirley in England. Wilks found in a corner of his garden where it adjoined arable fields, a variant of the field poppy that had a narrow white border around the petals. By careful selection and hybridization over many years he obtained a strain of poppies ranging in colour from white and pale lilac. Although a Shirley Poppy – it was Shirley Parish in East London alas - not Hampshire. (Otherwise this story would be perfect)

Return to My Word Tree Here