Fun Facts About Carnations

Posted By Allen's Flower Market On Thursday, 12 January 2023 Back

Fun Facts About Carnations

Fun Facts About Carnations

Description:

The Humble Bloom that Packs a Lot of Punch

Ah, the gentle carnation. The hallmark flower of single-stem diner décor, prom boutonnieres, and window box gardens is making a major comeback. Carnations are the official birthday flower of January. Not only does this delicate, layered bloom blend perfectly in elaborate bouquets, it deserves attention in its own right. Here are some little-known facts about carnations that will have you wondering why you don’t have more carnation-focused bouquets in your life: 

  • Carnations of the “Flowers of the Gods.” That’s right – these heavenly blooms have a Greek name connecting them to the divine. Ancient Greek culture revered carnations and cultivated them for celebratory and ceremonial uses. In fact, the name carnation derives from “coronation” because these flowers were famously used to crown leaders and VIPs during Greek ceremonies.
  • Carnations date back thousands of years. Because the Greeks made no secret of their love for carnations, there are records that tell us that carnations were cultivated over 2,000 years ago, making them one of the oldest-grown flowers in the world. Carnations can be found in paintings, poems, and songs throughout early and modern history. Keep an eye out for them next time you’re at an art museum!
  • Pick your poison – carnations come in just about every color. Though their original natural hue is a light pinkish purple, the carnation can now be found in white, yellow, green, orange, and red. 
  • Carnations are harmless to eat. Many cultures would use carnations to decorate food or tea, and while they aren’t particularly tasty, they remain a popular garnish on salads and desserts. 
  • Carnations are durable and resilient. Planted carnations can live for up to two years in the ground, and have a satisfying vase life, as well. 

Are you sold? Once you have your next carnation-forward bouquet in hand, be sure to take good care of it. Carnations enjoy a clean vase that won’t be too crowded, so the base of each stem has plenty of exposure to a water source. Carnations are thirsty! They love water, but it is possible to overdo it. Don’t give them more than two or three inches of water to prevent stem rot, which they are quite susceptible to. That means you’ll need to replenish their water frequently. Be sure to snip off any soggy stem ends any time you do so. 

Now that you have the down low on carnations go forth and impress all of the wonderful January birthdays in your life with a fresh bouquet accompanied by some fun facts. We offer handcrafted carnation bouquets in almost every color of the rainbow, from the moody indigo hues of Purple Perfect to the wild bright pinks and oranges of our Happy Birthday Basket. Allen’s Flower Market has been a family-owned and operated business for over 40 years. It brings us great joy to provide floral masterpieces for all your favorite celebrations. Our premium service, easy-to-use online store, and a full suite of floral gifts have established us as a community favorite, and we have been voted the best florist in Long Beach since 2011. Visit our locations in Long Beach, the San Fernando Valley, and Los Angeles to check out our floral creations in person.