Poppies with a purpose to mark return of city hospice campaign at Cardiff Castle

max taylor - journalist

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Pink poppies will appear at Cardiff Castle this summer as City Hospice launches its 2026 Forever Flowers campaign.

The initiative, now in its sixth year, has chosen pink poppies as their 2026 Forever Flowers due to its symbolism of love, peace and compassion.

The flowers are created by the British Ironwork Centre and will form a temporary tribute across the Castle grounds in the first week of August.

The limited-edition poppies are on-sale now £28 and supporters are encouraged to purchase one as a way of commemorating loved ones.

A Celebration of Life event will be held in the same week, on the 6th August, featuring performances from the Super Rock Choir at the DEPOT venue.

Following the event, supporters will be able to collect their poppies, with engraving services available at selected Timpson stores in Cardiff at a reduced cost.

Proceeds from the campaign go towards the important work of City Hospice, Cardiff’s provider of home-based specialist palliative care, which delivers services including welfare advice, complementary therapies and bereavement support.

The initiative is sponsored by Green Willow Funerals and supported by Dragon Signs, Eversheds Sutherland, McLays, Premier Forest Group, Quantum Advisory, and Wales & West Housing Association.

The campaign continues to draw support from families who have received care from the hospice.

Rhodri Beynon, from Rhiwbina, is supporting the initiative in memory of his father Richard, who sadly passed away late last year following a lymphoma diagnosis but was cared for by City Hospice toward the end of his journey.

Rhodri said: “My dad was a legend. He was selfless, one of a kind and always the person I’d call if I needed a hand or help with anything.

“The thing that made Dad special to me was the fact that he was always so supportive of me and my siblings; he would just support us in everything we did.

“When his condition progressed and he was referred for palliative care in 2022, it all seemed a bit more real. Luckily, we had the amazing City Hospice to support us through this change.

“The team’s care made an incredible difference and allowed us to just focus on being with Dad. Our nurse Claire and Dr Capel were there for my dad whenever needed.

“They reassured him when he had concerns about medications, new symptoms or feelings and that definitely put him, and us as a family, at ease.

“We began supporting Forever Flowers while Dad was being looked after by City Hospice and have chosen to dedicate a pink poppy this year in his memory.

“After the display it will be placed with our other Forever Flowers in the garden where my two young sons often play. No matter the season or the weather, the flowers will always be there, a lasting memory of my dad that makes us smile every day.”

Dr Liz Booyse, Chief Executive of City Hospice, said: “It’s a privilege to return to Cardiff Castle for another year of Forever Flowers. Each pink poppy in the display will represent a person, a cherished loved one who will be celebrated and remembered with fondness.

“It’s also a powerful reminder of the impact City Hospice has had and continues to have on families in Cardiff.

“This is always such a special occasion in our calendar and we can’t wait to see the display in full bloom.”