The Verna Jurecka Becker Poppy
The story of a Czech Flower’s journey to StarHill Farms.
Back at the turn of the 20th century Verna Jurecka Becker’s family, her mother Angeline in particular, was growing the Red Ruffled Poppies in their gardens, a traditional Czech flower. Their family had immigrated to this area of Freslburg and Fayetteville Texas in the mid-19th century bringing with them the love of the poppy flower. The poppies were seen each spring in the Jurecka and then Becker gardens. Several years back Verna shared some of her seeds with us, her neighbor, at StarHill Farms.
We have since enjoyed this spectacular bloom each spring and have thus named it the Verna Jurecka Becker Poppy in her honor. We have also added a few other varieties to the mix – Turkish Red and Black Poppies.
The flowers continue to be a delight every spring bursting out with this vibrant color and fragile foliage. The blooms last about six weeks and then drop their seeds so that we can continue this process again next spring!
