A Carnation By Any Other Name.....Would it smell as sweet?

The Dianthus - Ok...so it's a carnation. Dianthus, the name given by a greek botanist means "dios" referring to the god Zeus and "anthos" meaning flower - The flowers of god.

I hear alot of people say, "I don't like carnations".  What's not to like about a carnation? These days, carnations come in alot of different colors. Did  I mention ALOT?  As a designer, I love to use carnations in arrangements.  I like the various colors, sizes, textures and fragrance.

Did you know that carnations have meanings just like roses?  Light red carnations represent admiration, while dark red represent love and affection.  White represents pure love and good luck. But pink carnations have the most symbolic and historical significance. According to a Christian legend, carnations first appeared on earth as Jesus carried the cross.  The virgin Mary shed tears at Jesus' plight and carnations grew up from where her tears fell.  The pink carnation became a symbol of a mother's undying love. ("The Legend of the Carnation"  Library notes, Alabama Public Library Service, 1965, p. 6)

Carnations also come in mini size making it perfect for accents, corsages and sweet little gifts. So next time you think about a flower arrangement, don't disregard the carnation as a choice.  These fabulous flowers are pretty, long lasting and add beauty and texture to your arrangement.

Some great colors:
Moon Series: Shades of purples
Pink, hot pink, red, white, maroon, yellow, orange, peach, green, and varigated or multi-colored

Hugs and Flowers,
Tammi
Designer
Oran's Flower Shop, Kingston, TN

Can you spot the carnations?