Everything You Need to Know About Carnations

If you've been snubbing carnations in your gardens, containers, and fresh-cut arrangements because of their reputation as an ordinary bargain bloom, you've missed out. These famously fragrant blooms are recognized for the pointed, zig-zag shape of their petals; the petals look like they've been trimmed with pinking shears, which may have inspired the flower's common name, "pinks." Learn more about how to grow carnations and how to use them in fresh flower arrangements with tips from experts who are fans of this underrated plant.

How to Grow Carnations

"The first thing that comes to mind for a lot of folks when they hear carnations is a generic flower that you always see in the store," says Chris Link of Plant Addicts. "But carnations are the second most popular cut flower—behind the rose—in the world for a reason: The plants are easy to care for, produce a lot of flowers, the flowers are quite beautiful—especially if left natural—and the flowers have a very strong and spicy fragrance."

To grow carnations (Dianthus caryophyllus) as perennials in your garden, consider the following tips:

• Sunlight and soil needs: Choose a spot with full sun—at least six hours of direct light per day—and well-drained soil, says Link.
• Watering and drainage: Water once a week. "It is always best to remember two things," he says. "First, the soil needs to drain well, both in the ground and in the container. Second, allow the soil to dry out completely between the times you water. It is always best to water deeply and less often than to provide some water more often," he says.
• Growing from seeds: If you opt for seed, start growing the plants inside in late winter and move them outside after the last frost, says Erin Benzakein, the owner of Floret Flower Farm.
• Size: Carnations can grow up to 30 inches high, so Benzakein uses a mesh grid netting to support the stems as they get taller.
• Bloom time: Carnations will grow in the ground or containers, says Link, blooming in about four to six weeks, depending on the variety you choose.
• Propagating: "In general, you will want to propagate perennial carnations from cuttings and annual carnations from seeds," he explains. "You can easily divide mature plants, because these have shallow root systems, but the roots are relatively tough."

Caring for Cut Carnations

"Carnations are one of the most fragrant flowers we grow here at Floret, with a scent that reminds me of sugar and cloves," says Benzakein. "Even a single stem of blooms will fill the entire room with a nostalgic fragrance. They bloom all summer long from an early spring sowing, and their long stems and extremely long vase life make them an ideal flower for any type of arrangement."

To extend the life of your cut carnations, Link suggests the following:

• Snip the stems at a 45-degree angle before arranging them.
• Place them in 2 or 3 inches of room-temperature water.
• Change the water every two days and trim the stems each time.
• Place the vase in a cool spot away from heating vents, cold drafts, or direct sunlight.

Types of Carnations

"Because of their incredible vase life, numerous old-fashioned varieties, easy-to-grow nature, and incredible fragrance, they're quickly becoming a favorite flower for home gardeners," says Benzakein.

Her favorites include the large Chabauds, such as purple-edged Chabaud Benigna, flawless white Chabaud Jeanne Dionis, and coral-and-pink Chabaud Aurora.

Link's favorites include the Fruit Punch variety, available in a range of juicy pink, red, and mauve. "I really love these because of their strong fragrance and the fact that I can get mine to rebloom once or sometimes even twice," he says. "These are a great plant for both beginners and expert gardeners because they produce a ton of flowers with little effort or needed care besides watering."

The Carnation's History

Carnations are part of the genus Dianthus, which comprises more than 300 species of flowers. Images and descriptions of dianthus flowers have appeared in recorded works for thousands of years, since botanist Theophrastus named the group by combining the words for divine ("dia") and flower ("antho") in ancient Greece.

The iconic carnation blooms are Dianthus caryophyllus, also known as clove pinks. They're the birth flower associated with January, and a bloom famously tied to Mother's Day since the holiday's founder, Anna Jarvis, handed out carnations in honor of her mother. A red carnation signifies respect for a living mother, and a white carnation is worn or given to honor a mother who has passed on.