Some Interesting Facts about Carnations

Carnations the “Flowers of God” are said to relax the body and spirit.- Anonymous

Love, beauty, and attraction are the first few thoughts that strike our mind after seeing the ravishing carnation flowers. You get mesmerized by their ethereal beauty and want to absorb all the happiness and freshness they ooze with loads of charm. Available in vibrant colors and exuding spicy, peppery fragrance, the carnation never ceases to fill your life with immense joy and love. The scientific name of the carnation is Dianthus, which in Greek means “flower of God.” The universal symbol of motherly love, carnation is also considered the popular choice for Mother’s Day.

Let’s have a look at some crucial information about this ravishing bloom.

Carnation -A History

The history of carnation’s dates back to ancient Greek and Roman times when it was a major part of art and used for decoration purposes. It is believed in Christianity that the first carnation bloomed on Earth when Mary wept for Jesus as he carried his cross.

Significance

The pure symbol of love, affection, and admiration, carnation is the birth flower for the month of January. Their classic beauty and long-lasting fragrance make them the perfect gift for anniversaries and romantic occasions like Valentine’s Day.

Common Types of Carnations

• Dianthus Caryophyllus

  Available in pink, red, white, and salmon colors, this variety of carnations love humid conditions and thrives well in the countries where the humidity level is high. It has been cultivated for the past 2000 years and known to come from the Mediterranean region. They require full sun for proper growth and soil that is neutral or slightly alkaline.



• Dianthus Barbatus

  This variety of carnation grows well in all conditions and germinate the first year you plant them. They grow up to 2 feet in height and contain flowers in clusters. With their exceptional fragrance, they attract birds, bees, and butterflies.



• Dianthus Deltoides

  These carnations have pink and red color flowers that bloom during the summer months. They are low-maintenance that requires full sun, well-drained soil, and medium water for proper growth. The flowers are loosely tufted and leaves are quite narrow and green.



• Dianthus Chinensis

  It is one variety of carnation that does not perform well in the hot and humid weather. These flowers bloom from spring until the fall and are usually white, red or pink in color. Always grow them in alkaline soil and cool weather to ensure their proper growth.

Significance of Different Colors of Carnations

• Red Carnation

  The light red carnation is a symbol of friendship and admiration and the bright red color signifies deep love and affection.

• Pink Carnation

  The pink carnations symbolize a mother’s eternal love.

• White Carnation

  The white carnations are the pure symbol of innocence, gratitude, pure love, and good luck.

• Yellow Carnation

  The yellow carnations signify the emotions of rejection, disrespect, and disappointment.

• Purple Carnation

  The purple carnations convey condolences for the unfortunate circumstances and are presented to seek an apology.

Some Interesting Facts about Carnations

• Carnations do not contain any trace of poison that makes them perfectly edible.
• The color of these flowers can be changed by dipping them in colored water for a few minutes.
• They remain fresh for at least 14 days after being removed from the ground.
• These flowers are known to treat both mental and physical ailments.
• In ancient times, carnations were used as currencies by florist traders due to their availability in a variety of colors.

Carnations are considered the food and medicine for the soul that are sure to fill your entire space with happiness, good health, and positivity.