focal · easy · budget
Carnation
Dianthus caryophyllus · aka standard carnation, spray carnation, clove pink
The carnation was the default cheap flower of the 1980s and paid for it with a lasting image problem. Modern breeding has restored it — the Mörelex, Lege, and Prado series carry 60+ petals in painterly colour gradients that rival garden roses at 20% of the price. A revival flower for florists willing to look past legacy stigma.
At a glance
| Family | Caryophyllaceae |
|---|---|
| Origin | Mediterranean; commercially grown Colombia, Ecuador, Kenya |
| Peak season | all year |
| Availability | all year |
| Stem length | 40–70 cm |
| Vase life | 14–21 days |
| Colors | white, cream, yellow, orange, peach, pink, coral, red, burgundy, purple, green, bicolor |
| Price tier | budget |
Conditioning
Cut on a diagonal above a node (between the joints). Fresh water, no special treatment.
Care in the vase
- •Ethylene-sensitive — keep away from fruit and other decaying flowers
- •Extremely long vase life — 2–3 weeks
- •Novelty dyed varieties in colours nature doesn't produce (rainbow, blue)
- •The unfairly-maligned flower of the industry — modern varieties are excellent
Design role & symbolism
Symbolismfascination, distinction, love (varies by colour)
Occasionseveryday, sympathy, boutonniere, corporate
Substituteschrysanthemum, spray rose
long-lastingbudgetyear-round
