The Flowers of France Commemorate WW I

Fleur de Vie, Fleur de Mal, Fleur de Liberte
(Flower of Life, Flower of Death, Flower of Liberty)

by Richard Frisbie

Today the Northern French landscape is verdant and alive with grapevines and fields of wheat. Ninety years ago it was a desolate moonscape of charred trees, the air choking with the rotting stench of death. The whole area was a battlefield where for five years the war raged, the war ravaged and the war - to end all wars - destroyed the lives and hopes of a generation. This year the French people are celebrating the end of that war, and commemorating the American presence in France which facilitated that end. One part of the commemorations of the 90th anniversary of the end of World War I is a movement to plant flowers throughout the green French countryside. This "Campaign in Bloom" is held in conjunction with the "Towns and Villages in Bloom" competition which awards the prestigious Four Flowers award for the finest gardens in France.

According to Armel Peron, Assistant to Press Relations in the Department of Marne, "From April to October all the war memorials and participating villages will be decorated with the cornflower as a symbol of the Great War. The 'Cornflowers of Champagne' project serves to remind modern generations of the historical importance of the flower and its symbolism." It seems that the hardy blue wildflower was found growing widely on the deserted battlefields of France. It became the symbol for the young French soldiers known as "les Bleuets" because their blue uniforms matched the color of the flowers.

"The Campaign in Bloom provides seeds to encourage the 500 communities participating in the competition to plant cornflowers this summer." Peron continued. Other flowers officially designated as Commemorative Flowers will also be included in gardens around the monuments, battlefields and cemeteries. In addition, they'll be planted around the Vauthier posts that follow the Front line of July, 1918, through the countryside, and will be planted throughout the participating communities themselves. The gardens will be judged for original design and composition, with the national prize, "Memorial Special" awarded to the winner.

Some of the Commemorative Flowers have special stories behind them. Dominique Brochet-Lanvin has a prized specimen of the La Marne rose he and his wife rescued from extinction. Originally named in 1915 for the Battle of La Marne, this blood-red beauty was nearly lost until they discovered a "forgotten" specimen in a relative's garden and propagated it. Today, their nursery, the Botanique de la Presle, proudly sells descendants of this noble antique. Although neglected for 90 years, the La Marne rose is thriving, a testament to the hardy French stock and the toils of two gardeners of Champagne.

Also included in the list of the "Commemorative Flowers" are the peony "Victory of the Marne", the "Marne" hydrangea, both flowers introduced in 1915, plus cornflowers, daisies, poppies and red carnations. Marne is a Department in France, similar to a US County, as well as a famous WW I battle. It is classed as the #1 Department in Bloom of France, with 135 communities participating in the Campaign in Bloom program.

Other flower events in France this season include the 'Days of the Rose', celebrated this year at the royal Abbey of Chaalis in the Department of Oise. The Marne rose will be featured in that garden too. From Reims, the capital of Marne, the 'Adam Rose' and the peony 'Madam de Vatry' will also be added to the Oise flower bed, strengthening the connection between Chaalis Abbey and the history of the Marne.

The city of Metz, the capital of Moselle in the Lorraine region, is known as the Garden City, not just for the almost eleven acre English-style Botanical Garden, but because there is a total of over 1000 acres of green space within the city limits. Probably the most spectacular garden is the one relocated to a different square each year. The city fathers pick a location and commission a design to create, almost overnight, a floral carpet in the city to compete in an international garden competition. In 2003 Metz won the Grand Prix of Honor in that competition.

So whether the gardens receive the Four Flowers award, the Memorial Special award, or the Gran Prix of Honor, all will help turn the green countryside of France into colorful, fragrant, and beautiful memorials to our soldiers. Touring France's gardens is the perfect way to appreciate the history and grandeur of the estates, parks and monuments while commemorating the end of World War I.

For more information:
Flowers and Gardens in France
www.tourisme-en-champagne.com (fleurs et jardins)

Air France
www.airfrance.us
Official French Government Tourist Office
www.franceguide.com

Botanique de la Presle
www.jardin-brochetlanvin.com/
Photos by:
CDT de la Marne
Service Presse
13 bis, rue Carnot
51006 CHALONS EN CHAMPAGNE
FRANCE