The carnation, one of the oldest flowers in the world, is a lightly perfumed perennial plant, believed to be native to the Mediterranean.http://news.sciencemag.org/sciencenow/2010/01/28-02.html?rss=1The natural color of a carnation is a pinkish-purple, but it has been cultivated to include green, yellow, red, and white varieties.http://interiordecorating.suite101.com/article.cfm/meanings-of-colored-carnationsIt is a popular choice for boutonnieres and corsages.http://ww30.1800flowers.com/product.do?baseCode=16713&conversionTag=true

The flower's scientific name is Dianthus caryophyllus, which means either "the flower of love," or "the flower of the gods," depending on the translation.http://www.proflowers.com/flowerguide/flowermeanings/carnation-meanings.aspxThe appearance of a carnation differs from type to type, but generally they have five petals with jagged edges, and sometimes with a double bloom.http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-carnation.htmA double bloom is simply multiple layers of petals that give the flower a fuller appearance. There are over 300 types of carnations, but the three main kinds are spray, large and dwarf. Spray carnations possess a scattering of smaller flowers, large carnations have one flower to a stem, and dwarfs have smaller, multiple flowers to a stem.http://www.gardenguides.com/78069-carnation-flowers-information.html

1. Nelson
2. Africa
3. Sofia
4. Purple Pacal
5. Pink Nelson
6. Dark Donna
7. Tundra
8. Silk Road
9. Roma White
10. Epoca
11. Candy
12. Raggio
13. Prado
14. Havana
15. Madras Blanco

The basic meaning of the carnation flower is love, fascination and distinction, but they can symbolize other things.http://www.proflowers.com/flowerguide/flowermeanings/carnation-meanings.aspxMost distinctions in meaning come from differences in color. For example, a pink carnation symbolizes a mother's love, white carnations can mean pure love or good luck, and yellow carnations can even mean disappointment and dejection.

Other meanings for carnations are:

• Light red: Admiration
• Dark red: Deep love
• Striped: Rejection or regret
• Purple: Unpredictability or irresponsibility
• Green: St. Patrick's Dayhttp://www.theflowerexpert.com/content/mostpopularflowers/carnations
• Pink: Gratitude, and later became the official flower of Mother's Dayhttp://www.proflowers.com/flowerguide/flowermeanings/carnation-meanings.aspx

It is best to plant carnations in sunny areas in light, dry soil, preferably alkaline soil, with a pH level above 7.0. Some shade during the day is suggested in order to prevent damage to the flower. Try to water only as much as is necessary and avoid drowning the area around the flower in water.http://www.gardenguides.com/78069-carnation-flowers-information.htmlFor up-keep on annual carnations, make sure to cut away the dead blooms and foliage. Surround planting area with mulch during the Winter months in order to keep roots safe from the cold temperatures.http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-carnation.htm

• • Mahalo's Guide to Gardening

• • Mahalo's Guide to Online Florists
• Teleflora: Carnations
• 1-800-FLOWERS: Carnations
• FTD: Carnations
• ProFlowers: Carnations

• The British National Carnation Society Forum

• Oxford Carnations

• Wikipedia: Carnation Revolution

• Symbol of Mothers Day

• BabiesOnline.com: The Carnation is January's Birth Flower

• • This page was created by Carrie, a Part Time Guide in the Mahalo Greenhouse (see the original), and curated by Laura.

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