CARNATION

The 'carnation' (''Dianthus caryophyllus'') is a flowering plant native to the Near East and has been cultivated for the last 2,000 years. Its original natural flower colour was pinkish-hued, but later, cultivars of other colours, including red, white, yellow and green, have been developed. The carnation is the national flower of Spain.
Although originally applied to the species ''Dianthus caryophyllus'', the name Carnation is also often applied to some of the other species of ''Dianthus'', and more particularly to garden hybrids between ''D. caryophyllus'' and other species in the genus.
Some scholars believe that the name "carnation" comes from "coronation" or "corone" (flower garlands), as it was one of the flowers used in Greek ceremonial crowns. Others think the name stems from the Latin "carnis" (flesh), which refers to the original colour of the flower, or incarnacyon (incarnation), which refers to the incarnation of God made flesh.

Contents

Sentiment and symbolism

Growing Carnations

Carnation Diseases

Carnation Cultivars

References

External links

Sentiment and symbolism

Carnations are often worn on special occasions, especially Mother's Day and weddings. They were known as "Jove's Flower" in ancient Rome as a tribute to one of their beloved gods. In Korea, red and pink Carnations are used for showing their love and gratitude toward their parents on Parents Day (Korea does not separate Mother's Day and Father's Day, but has Parents Day on May 8). Sometimes, you can see old parents wear a corsage of Carnation(s) on their left chest on Parents Day. Not only on Parents Day, but also on Teacher's Day (May 15), people express their admiration and gratitude to their teachers with Carnations, as Carnation has the meaning of 'admiration','love', and 'gratitude'.
The carnation is also the symbol of the Portuguese Carnation Revolution.
For the most part, carnations express love, fascination, and distinction. Light red carnations represent admiration, while dark red denote deep love and affection. White carnations indicate pure love and good luck; striped symbolize a regret that a love cannot be shared. Green carnations are for St. Patrick's Day, and, in the 19th Century, were used as a secret gay code; purple carnations indicate capriciousness.
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 sprang up from where her tears fell. Thus the pink carnation became the symbol of a mother's undying love, and in 1907 was chosen by Ann Jarvis as the emblem of Mother's Day, now observed in the United States and Canada on the second Sunday in May. A red carnation may be worn if one's mother is alive, and a white one if she has died.
The Carnation is also the birth flower for those born in the month of January.
In some cultures, however, especially the French culture, the carnation symbolizes misfortune and bad luck.
At Oxford University, carnations are traditionally worn to all examinations — white for the first exam, pink for exams in between and a red for the last exam.
The state flower of Ohio is a scarlet carnation. The choice was made to honor William McKinley, Ohio Governor and U.S. President, who was assassinated in 1901, and regularly wore a scarlet carnation on his lapel.
Carnation is the provincial flower of the autonomous community of Balearic Islands of Spain
Pi Beta Phi Fraternity for Women has the wine carnation as their official flower.
Delta Sigma Phi Fraternity's official flower is the white carnation. The flower of the collegiate fraternities Theta Chi, Tau Kappa Epsilon, and Alpha Chi Omega is the red carnation. Phi Mu Fraternity for Women has as their official flower the Pink Carnation.
The carnation is a traditional funeral flower in France, given in condolence for the death of a loved one.

Growing Carnations

Carnations require neutral to slightly alkaline soil (6.5 and 7.0 would be ideal). The soil should be well-drained.

Carnation Diseases

Carnation Cultivars

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References

★ Anderson's Online Documentation: Floral emblem of state (Ohio)

External links

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★ Carnations and Pinks Resources

★ Carnations and the Floriculture Industry: Records of the Colorado Flower Growers Association