Carnations

Thursday is National Carnation Day.  This got us to wondering more about this seemingly common flower that appears in so many bouquets.

We learned that there are three kinds of carnations:  large flowered, dwarf-flowered and spray or miniature versions.

We also learned that you can grow them in your garden with more success in certain zones of the country.

Carnations are a perennial flower so plant once and they will come back.  These flowers are deer-resistant too but watch out for those rabbits.

Rabbits like to nibble on the leaves.

The botanical name for carnations is Dianthus caryophyllus.  Greek texts mentioned them so it appears that they’ve been around for thousands of years.

The Greek translation of “dianthus” is divine flower and maybe the reason that in the Christian religion they are seen as Mary’s tears.

The natural flower colors of carnations are white, red and pink but they are also available in other colors with a little dye.

You may have heard the tale of President McKinley and his love of carnations.  He was the 25th President and every day he would wear a carnation in his lapel.

He also had carnations displayed all over the White House.  He even had them in his Cabinet Room.  He considered the flower as his lucky charm.

After his assassination a rumor was started that on that day he had handed the carnation in his lapel to a little girl.  Legend has it that his luck ran out on that day.

Private Home Health Care has never tried to grow carnations but this summer we might give it a try.  A vaseful of those lovely colors would brighten up a room.