Carnation : Flower Facts

Meaning

Fascination, womanly love, devoted love

Origins

Carnations are the UK's best-selling cut flower, by far. They are an excellent cut flower, great value, very long-lasting, since the 1950's they have been frowned upon by the style gurus, but are now making a comeback. Carnations symbolize many things. Pink carnations are said to have first appeared on Earth when a tear fell from the Virgin Mary's eye when Jesus Christ was carrying the cross. According to Christian legend, the flower was said to have sprung up from the Earth when her tear hit the ground, therefore the pink carnation represents a Mother's undying love. Used on mothering Sunday. In Canada you wear a red flower if your mother is alive or a white flower if your mother has died. Thought to be a native of the Mediterranean region, Dianthus caryophyllus is known to North American florists as the carnation. Carnations are one of some 300 species of annual, biennial and perennial herbs in the genus Dianthus, which means "flower of Zeus" in Greek. Common relatives of the carnation, a member of the Caryophyllaceae family, include sweet William, gypsophila and chickweed. The carnation is available as a standard carnation - one large flower per stem, or a spray carnation with lots of smaller flowers.

Flower Availability and Vase Life

Carnations are available all year round in a wide range of colours and sizes, and new cultivars frequently become available. Some highly scented cultivars are used to make perfumes, while other cultivars are void of any fragrance. With proper care, carnations can last two weeks.

Care and Handling

Remove any foliage that will fall below the water line of the carnations' container before re-cutting the stems. Place the carnations to a clean container with a properly prepared fresh flower-food solution.

Florist Design Uses

Carnations' diversity makes them suitable for many uses in floral designs, ranging from traditional arrangements to body flowers.

Colours: Available in a huge range of colours, almost all except blue. Florigene in Australia has developed a mauve carnation with blue edges.