Lavender Carnations
Carnations are popular all over the world for their versatility and longevity. The flowers are now tinted artificially to add to the already naturally grown variety. Among the bright green and blue varieties, the lavender ones also have found a niche market. Lavender carnations are the variety of the original flower that is either dyed or specially cultivated. 'Dianthus' is its botanical name and means divine flower. Carnation was originally the flesh-pink color that the Elizabethan portrait painters used as a background wash for their work.
The lavender carnation is available as a standard carnation; one large flower per stem, or a spray of lavender carnations with lots of smaller flowers. Available in unique lavender, the flowers are marketed all year round. The lavender variety is new and has been cultivated and looks just like the old-fashioned garden pink, but in a sophisticated hue. They have daintier relatives, the fragrant Sweet Williams. Lavender carnations can last up to three weeks but should be kept away from ripening fruit and vegetables because of the presence of ethylene gas. Carnations are the world's best-selling cut flowers and are great value, very long-lasting. Lavender carnations have been in vogue for a while now and are gifted specially on Mother's Day. The carnation flower comes from a plant native to the East and is known to have been cultivated for the last two thousand years. Its original natural flower colour is known to have been pinkish-hued, however later dedicated cultivation resulted in other colours, including red, blue, white, yellow and green and even lavender. The carnation recognised all over the world as the national flower of Spain. Although the dname 'carnation' is known to be applied originally to the species dianthus caryophyllus, the name is also often applied to some of the other species of idanthus, particularly to garden hybrid varieties and other species in the genus. Research has revealed that the name "carnation" comes from the word "coronation" or "corone" (flower garlands). It was one of the flowers used in Greek ceremonial crowns. There are those also who think that the name stems from the Latin "carnis" for flesh, which refers to the original colour of the flower. There is yet another theory that the name comes from incarnacyon or incarnation, which refers to the incarnation of 'God made flesh'. The meanings commonly associated with carnations include fascination, distinction, and love. Like many other flowers, different messages are also expressed with the flower's different color varieties. Light red carnations are often used to convey admiration, while the dark red versions express deeper sentiments of love and affection and while white carnations are associated with purity and luck, the pink carnations are synonymous with gratitude. |