Find Your 
Love is in the air this August! National Couples Day falls on August 18th, and it’s the perfect time to let your partner know how you feel about them. Want to know the best flowers to send your significant other? Keep reading to find out!
Holiday Highlight: Valentine’s Day
December 22, 2021 by Leave a Comment
Valentine’s Day happens every year on February 14th, and it’s one of the most popular times to send flowers to your loved ones! But what is Valentine’s Day really all about? Keep reading to learn more about its history and about the best flowers to send on this special day.
January Birth Flower: Carnations
December 16, 2021 by Leave a Comment
Flowers are a great way to let someone know you’re thinking of them on their birthday! Not sure which ones to send? Birth month flowers are always a beautiful choice! January’s birth month flower is the carnation. Keep reading to learn more about what makes carnations special.
Personalities & Flowers: The Protagonist (ENFJ)
January 26, 2021 by Leave a Comment
The Protagonist is full of passion and charisma. They are natural-born leaders and have a natural confidence that allows them to have influence. Looking for the perfect flowers to send an ENFJ? We know just the ones! [Read more…]
Flower Spotlight: Dianthus
September 14, 2020 by Leave a Comment
Dianthuses have been around for centuries. They’re more commonly known as carnations and come in almost every color of the rainbow. Keep reading to learn more about their origin, meaning, and some interesting facts: [Read more…]
Flower Spotlight: Carnation
October 21, 2016 by 1 Comment
Carnations are the second most popular cut flower in the world, right behind the rose! Keep reading to see what makes this prized flower so popular!
Fun Facts
- Carnations come in a wide variety of colors, but white carnations will change their color in 24 hours if you add food coloring to the water. Just add a few drops and wait for the transformation!
- Europe used carnations for decoration but also as a flavoring agent for beer, wine and liquors.
- Carnations are actually bad luck in France and are used for funeral arrangements.
- The carnation is the birth flower of January.
- The scarlet carnation has been chosen as Ohio’s state flower.
[Read more…]
Flower Spotlight: Carnations
January 18, 2016 by Leave a Comment
Today we will focus on January’s flower. You will learn about the origins of carnations, their meaning and other important facts about this beautiful bloom. Ready to fall in love with this flower? Keep on reading…
Origins & Symbolism
Dianthus Caryophyllus, better known as Carnation, has been cultivated for over 2,000 years in Europe and Asia. The name carnation derives from the words “coronation” or “corone” in reference to floral garlands used in ancient Greek ceremonial events. Greek botanist Theophrastus named the flower “Dianthus” meaning “flower of the gods.”
Carnation is the official Mother’s Day bloom. Anna Marie Jarvis, founder of this holiday, selected the flower in tribute to her own mother. They often symbolize fascination and distinction, but depending on the color of the bloom, it takes different meanings. Red means admiration and love, dark red shows deep love and affection, white equals purity and good luck, pink symbolizes gratitude and when striped they often signify refusal.
To Consider
There are over 300 species of carnations known to date, most of which bloom in full sunlight and well-drained soil. According to The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), carnations can be toxic to cats and dogs. If at all possible, try to keep your four-legged friends away from this astonishing flower. If they accidentally ingest this bloom, contact your local veterinary facility.
Availability
Carnations can be found in almost every color of the rainbow! They are classified as edible flowers, for humans, and are a popular choice for decorating cakes and other pastries. Make sure, if you will be eating this or any other flower classified as edible, to use only organically grown blooms. This is to prevent pesticides or any other harmful products from entering your system. Not too sure about eating the petals of carnations? Add this delicate flower in combination with other blooms, or by itself, to a desired vase. Perfect for weddings, birthdays and other events. You will see that carnations create beautiful arrangements, centerpieces and other decorative pieces!
Head to your local florist and delight yourself or loved ones with the beauty of this bloom!
Flower Spotlight: Carnations
January 9, 2014 by Leave a Comment
This month we spotlight the carnation!
Carnation Origins
The carnation is a beautiful flower most likely native to the Mediterranean region. I say “most likely” because it has been so widely cultivated over the last 2,000 years that no one knows for sure the full range of this flower’s natural origins. Still, if you were to try growing your own carnations, you’d need well drained, neutral to slightly alkaline soil and full sun. Certainly in keeping with a Mediterranean climate!
Carnation Colors and Meanings
In general, carnations represent love, fascination and distinction however color variations can have their own meanings.
- Light Red – Admiration
- Dark Red – Deep love or affection
- Pink – A mother’s undying love – The legend around this color says that the pink carnation was formed when the Virgin Mary wept for Jesus as he carried the cross to his own crucifixion.
- Purple – Capriciousness, unpredictability, fickleness and unreliability
- Yellow – Disappointment, dejection and rejection
- White – Pure love and good luck
- Green – Not a natural color, they are often dyed and coupled with white carnations for St. Patrick’s Day.
- Striped – Regret or refusal
As you can see, the carnation covers a wide range of feelings and events. Did someone ask you out but you want to let them down easy? Say, “No” with flowers! Want to tell the world you’re feeling a bit unpredictable? A purple carnation on your lapel will do the trick nicely. Are you wanting a different flower to use on Valentine’s Day? The red carnation says love as loudly as any rose. The carnation is also the official flower for January birthdays!
Need to think of new and creative ways to use carnations? Contact your local florist and let them guide you! Carnations have been popular flowers for over 2,000 years. They have a storied history and are just downright gorgeous. Next time you have flower needs, don’t forget the carnation!
Making A Comeback: The Carnation
November 18, 2010 by 3 Comments
Carnation Comeback
Dating all the way back to ancient Greece, the carnation was once a prized favorites amongst the elite of society. Even the name is from the Greek words dios (divine) and anthos (flower) — the Divine Flower. For centuries artists and writers used the carnation as a vibrant muse for their creations. Demand for the carnation practically ceased in the 17th century and the flower hasn’t seen much of a revival since — until now!
Trendsetters, fashionistas, high-end florists, and even the queen of decor, Martha Stewart, are turning to the carnation for use in their modern designs.
What Sparked This New Interest In Carnations?
The new interest in carnations was possibly sparked by the efforts of the Flower Council Holland in 2000. The council sponsored promotional events with the theme, “Looking Differently at Carnations.” These events promoted the new aspects of modern carnations.
Modern Carnations – The new varieties of carnations are not like what you’d see at the corner store.
- Larger, more showier flowers
- New editions of vibrant, trendy colors
- New styles, such as the award winning, “Barbatus Green Ball”
- Intense, clove-like aroma
- Can last up to 4 weeks with proper care (flower food)
Growers have been focused on creating the best possible products in the most variety of colors. New carnations are available in FAR more than white, pink, red or dyed.
Slowly but surely, florists everywhere are picking up on the carnation comeback trend, although most are still unsure what to even do with them. Brides have even been reported to laugh at the idea of using carnations as a main wedding flower. Still, the market is always looking for something new, and these new, incredible carnations are getting hotter by the minute. Only time will tell if this trend continues, but as reported to the Wall Street Journal, high-style florist and current carnation enthusiast, Bronson Van Wyck, may have to switch allegiance from the flower he likens to a wildebeest. “If carnations get too popular, I’m going to have to find something else.”
Popular Modern Carnation Varieties
Everybody’s favorite carnation right now is, by far, the fuzzy ‘Barbatus Green Ball.’ This little guy doesn’t even look like his carnation cousins! In fact, many florists are calling modern carnations by their genus name, Dianthus, to make them sound a bit more chic to fashion-forward brides. This variety got a lot of attention at the during SAF’s Outstanding Varieties Competition in Orlando. Outstanding traits from the competition: Super long-lasting, furry flowers that add interesting texture and form to any floral arrangement. Ten-centimeter flower diameters make it the biggest dianthus in the market.
Contact your local florists and ask about modern carnations today!
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Dads Give Great Gifts Too
October 6, 2009 by Leave a Comment
The other day I received a gift from my father that can turn even the most devout momma’s girl like me into Daddy’s little girl again. I told my mom about moving into a new office at work. She in turn told my father who surprised me when she came to see me on the first day in that office. Dad by himself was a treat but it was what he brought with him that nearly had me in tears.
A small recap of former posts: my favorite flower is the standard pink carnation. It is this because this is the flower that dad always sent to my sister and me when we were growing up. He sent a pink carnation for Valentines Day when we were too young for suitors. He would send us pink carnations when he got lonely working away as a paramedic. I’ve loved the delightful flowers ever since.
So here mom comes with a few things for my new home. I’m already stoked to see my dad and their dog who tagged along for a quick visit. When dad walks me to my truck and shows what he’d put in my seat as a “new office” gift, I felt something I haven’t felt in a long time. I was pleased and delighted as well as a bit embarassed by the attention. In other words–I loved it.
I once heard a father say that the gift itself doesn’t matter nearly so much as the fact that it came from his child. “They could give me an empty box and I’d love it.” Well Dad, it works both ways. I knew my gift wasn’t something Daddy picked up from a random bix box store. He took the time to go to the town’s local florist and pick up a carnation for me.
Yeah, he just solidified the pink carnation’s place in my heart forever. See, dads give great gifts too.
To secure a fresh place in your daughter or son’s heart, send flowers from a local florist using Flower Shop Network.
