A carnation is one of the oldest cultivated flowers in the world. The use of carnations for art and decor is well documented in the mythology of ancient Greece and Rome. Today, Spain has adopted the carnation as its national flower. The flower, commonly used in arrangements, has some characteristics that make it a popular choice.
Meaning
The Latin name of the carnation is Dianthus caryophyllus. The Greek botanist Theopharastus named the flower from "dios," the Greek god Zeus, and "anthos," meaning flower. Light red carnations convey admiration, and dark red mean love and affection. White carnations signify luck and purity. Yellow carnations can mean disappointment or dejection. Pink carnations signify gratitude. In the early 20th century, the carnation became the official flower of the Mother's Day holiday in the United States.
Identification
Three hundred different species of carnations come in a broad palette of colors, ranging from pale pink to peach, red, yellow, white and purple. You can also find dyed carnations, such as the green ones commonly seen around St. Patrick’s Day. Carnations have ruffled flower petals that form a round compact flower that can grow up to 3 inches in diameter. The flowers tend to have a scent like that of cloves. The flower may be found year round and can last up to 21 days when cut.
Types
Beside different colors, carnations come in different sizes. The large carnation has one flower per stem. You typically see these kind used in floral arrangements. These carnation grow in greenhouses and can be purchased from a florist. Spray carnations, which have groups of small flower clusters, and dwarf carnations, which have several small flowers on one stem, are what you typically see cultivated in a garden. You can purchase seeds that will grow as annual plants, meaning that they last only one season and then die; biennial, which last two years; and perennials, which continue to flower year after year.
Growing Carnations
Plant carnation seeds outdoors in early spring in an area that gets at least four to five hours of full sunlight. Sow the seeds 12 inches apart and cover them with 1/8 inch of soil. Water them one or two times a week during a dry period. Seeds begin to sprout within a month. Depending on the variety you plant, they may grow 10 to 20 inches tall.
Considerations
Carnations resist insects and disease. If you do have problems with pests, treat them with insect repellent or fungicide. One they start growing, they will bloom throughout the summer into the fall, even withstanding some light frost. If they are perennials, they go dormant for the winter, meaning they won’t have flowers. Cover the flowers with mulch to protect them from the low temperatures during the cold winter months.
