Carnations are some of the best ornamental plants you can pick for your garden or balcony. With their wide array of colors and that signature spicy-sweet scent, they’re total crowd-pleasers for humans and pollinators alike. But did you know that in the “language of flowers,” these blooms carry a lot of hidden meaning? Depending on the color you choose, you might be sending a message you didn’t even realize!
A Quick Trip Through Carnation History
People have been breeding carnations since the Middle Ages. Back then, they were mostly just appreciated for their looks. By the 15th century, though, white carnations became a big deal among the middle class as a symbol of love and marriage.
Red carnations have an even more intense history. During the French Revolution in the 1700s, they were worn as a sign of aristocratic resistance. Later on, French socialists adopted them as a badge for the labor movement—a tradition that stuck around for a long time. In fact, in the former East Germany, wearing a red carnation in your buttonhole was the go-to look for International Workers’ Day on May 1st.
By the 1960s, the flower’s reputation took a bit of a hit. During the student movements of 1968, both red and white carnations started to be seen as “stuffy” or old-fashioned. Thankfully, they’ve made a huge comeback since then!
What the Different Colors Actually Mean
Carnations bloom in a rainbow of shades, and each one tells a different story. The most common colors you’ll find are:
- Red
- White
- Pink
- Purple
- Yellow
Red carnations are usually all about deep love and romance. White ones, on the other hand, stand for friendship, loyalty, and sticking together. Now, here’s a pro tip: be a little careful with yellow carnations! Traditionally, they can symbolize dislike or rejection. You might want to double-check before gifting a yellow bouquet to someone sensitive to flower meanings!
The Best Occasions for Gifting Carnations
Because they carry so much symbolism, carnations make fantastic gifts for almost any event. Whether it’s a birthday, a wedding, Valentine’s Day, or an anniversary, there’s a carnation for that. They’re also a classic choice for celebrating a new baby or showing Mom some love on Mother’s Day. They really are the “all-rounder” of the floral world.
Tips for Gifting Carnations as Cut Flowers
If you’re putting together a bouquet to give away, look for stems where the buds aren’t fully open yet. Choosing flowers that are just starting to peek out ensures they’ll stay fresh much longer in a vase, giving your lucky recipient more time to enjoy their beautiful blooms.