Carnation flower for May 
A new month, a new flower in the spotlight. This month the vintage carnation takes centre stage. With its many forms and high quality, it’s a flower to adore. FAMILY Caryophyllaceae. The original birthplace of the carnation is on the coast of the Mediterranean. The popularity of the flower goes back many centuries; for example, the Romans were already making wreathes and fresh eau de toilette out of carnations. The flower can also be regularly seen in religious paintings as a symbol of the Virgin Mary and to symbolise the suffering of Christ. The Latin name for the carnation is Dianthus, derived from Dios (God) and anthos (flower). That means that the carnation is a divine flower! Green, deep purple, dark red, fluorescent yellow, champagne, soft orange, salmon pink, white or combinations of colours: the carnation offers a magnificent array of colours. But that’s certainly not the only remarkable thing about this flower. For example, are you familiar with the various shapes? There are carnation with a single flower, and there are spray carnations. The carnation also has eye-catching petals, with rounded, serrated or fringed edges. So it’s no surprise that the carnation is a fantastic lead performer or support act in any vase. CARNATION SYMBOLISM Renaissance painters in the 15th and 16th century chose the carnation with love to appear in opulent paintings. A bouquet with these romantic, colourful flowers results in a blooming still-life you just can’t keep your eyes off. Inspiring images of every flower in the Flower Agenda have been produced in line with the Horticulture Sector Trends 2017 (Groenbranche Trends 2017). These trends are a translation of what our consumers are interested in at the moment and are specifically aimed at the horticulture sector for use both indoors and outdoors. http://www.flowercouncil.co.uk/
THE CARNATION’S ORIGIN
COLOURS AND SHAPES OF THE CARNATION
CARING FOR CARNATIONS
The carnation symbolises passion, longing and romance. That’s why Renaissance painters in the 15th and 16th century chose this flower to appear in their engagement scenes. And nothing has changed in that regard: the carnation is still an appropriate gift for demonstrating passionate love. Or to revive the passion in your relationship. If that should be necessary…
BOUQUET WITH CARNATIONS
INSPIRATION AND INFORMATION
