A little over a week ago, I attended the Chelsea Flower Show for the first time. There were many beautiful displays, but the most impressive by far was the 5000 Poppies display by 5000 Poppies and acclaimed landscape artist Phillip Johnson.
5000 Poppies was launched in June 2013, after Margaret Knight and Lynn Berry set out to crochet 120 poppies to ‘plant’ at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne (in honour of their fathers). By Remembrance Day 2013, their 120 poppies had turned into 5000. A year later they had more than 50 000 poppies, and by Remembrance Day 2015 they had collected 250 000 poppies from 50 000 contributors!
There were 300 000 crochet/fabric/knitted poppies in the Chelsea Flower Show Display this year, and I cannot tell you just how breathtaking it was. I will forever be grateful to the talented Nel Whatmore for giving me an opportunity to attend the show and see the poppies in real life. Nel was one of the exhibitors at the show and her floral art is amazing!
Poppy Collector by Nel Whatmore
This is a photo Nel took when 5000 Poppies were setting up. I don’t even want to know how long it took them to ‘plant’ all those poppies.
When I went in search of the poppies, two ladies at one of the entrances to the ‘Great Pavilion’ told me where to find them. They also told me that there were some benches to the side and if I wanted to get good photos, I should stand on one of those. “Won’t someone chase me off?” I asked. They laughed and said: “Not if you are quick enough.”
Suffice it to say that I wasn’t quick enough and I did get chased off by a very angry guard! So I joined the waiting throng (10 people deep and about 30 wide). It took me almost 20 minutes to get to the front, and when I finally got there, I only managed to take a handful of photos. None of them were very good, so I abandoned the endeavour.
At the end of the day, when my friend and I were making our way through the departing masses, I noticed that there were very few people lurking in front of the poppies, so I went over to a guard and asked him if I could please, please, PRETTY please take some close-up photos for my blog. He said yes!
You will notice that there are people in the background already starting to dismantle the display.
Doesn’t that look amazing? A field full of crochet and knitted poppies!
The ‘carpet of poppies’ contained some fabric poppies as well. I am sure there were felted poppies too, but I couldn’t see them.
I love that each and every one of these poppies have a memory or person attached to them, and the fact that they are as individual as the people they were made in remembrance of.
I am told that 5000 Poppies will continue to collect poppies, so if you want to get involved and make a poppy for 5000 Poppies (or for yourself), you can find all the patterns HERE.
You can read more about 5000 Poppies HERE. You can also join their Facebook Group or like their Facebook Page.
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Peggy Clarke says
Thanks for these fabulous photos. I actually made about 6 poppies for that display (hope they are there somewhere)
Our local quilters group in Coffs Harbour decided to make poppies and they are used each remembrance day on trees at the cenotaph here. We are about half way between Sydney and Brisbane.
Also thank you for all your inspiration. I have made Sophies Garden and Sophies Universe. Watching out for your next inspirations. Have a great time in Sth Africa. Keep the photos rolling.
Regards Peggy
Dedri Uys says
Hi Peggy.
Thank you for taking the time to comment and for contributing to this amazing display. I am just blown away by how many people have participated and only wish that I had heard about 5000 Poppies earlier so that I could have contributed too.
Have a great day :)
Kim Morris says
I have read other articles as well. Thoroughly enjoyed yours and your photographs. It’s on my bucket list to visit the Chelsea Flower Show! X
Dedri Uys says
Thank you, Kim. You should definitely go. It was such a great experience.
Emily says
Hi Dedri,
Wow, what a lovely pictures you took at the Chelsea Flower show. My father watched it on tv so I saw them too. It looked gorgeous!!! Thank you for sharing your pictures ;-).
Have a nice evening.
Sweet greetings,
Emily
(casacreaemilia.blogspot.nl)
Dedri Uys says
Thank you, Emily :) I saw them on tv too, but it didn’t prepare me for actually standing there and seeing them in real life. It gave me goosebumps!
Jeya says
What a task and it all loves like lots of love went in making them. LEST WE FORGET. Thank you for sharing
Meme Smith says
This was very special and hope it will be done more often. Hopefully other crafts will be asked to participate. I like crochet and also using upcycling.
MissNeriss says
My Gran has a few poppies in there! I’ll send her your post, I’m sure she’ll love it.
Dedri Uys says
Wonderful! Thank you, Nerissa :)
Edith Bell says
Hi Dedri,
thanks for your post about the flower show. It was very moving for our “Kanga Craft Group” of senior ladies, as we also contributed a load of poppies, and to see so many, from all over, was fantastic, and rewarding.That sea of red, brought a tear and memories to many eyes and minds.
Thanks again,
Edith Bell
Bendigo AUST
Dedri Uys says
Hi Edith,
Thank you to all of you for your contributions. Seeing them was indeed moving. I kept thinking about all the contributors lovingly creating poppies in remembrance of their loved ones. That is a huge concentration of love and respect in one place!
Best wishes,
Dedri