Discover everything about Carnations, the flowers of Portugal

Red, white, pink, or yellow, carnations are considered an exotic flower that symbolizes respect, love, and passion. In Portugal, they hold an even greater meaning because they gave their name and symbolism to the revolution that established freedom in the country. Find out which carnations you can find at Horto do Campo Grande and the care for cultivating and maintaining carnation plants for a blooming and colorful garden!

In Ancient Greece, carnations were considered divine flowers. With a mythological origin, the carnation represented, in contrast to the rose – a symbol of woman – man, masculinity, strength, and courage.

Did you know…

In many places, it is a tradition to place a carnation on the lapel of the groom’s and/or groomsmen’s
wedding suit as a sign of respect and love for the union?

The Red Carnation was adopted by the state of Ohio in 1904 to honor President William McKinley, assassinated in 1901, as he always wore a Red Carnation
on his lapel because he considered it his lucky flower?

The Carnation is the second most popular cut flower after roses?

The carnation plant is a perennial herbaceous plant, of the Caryophyllaceae class, the same family as the pink and the dianthus, which can reach up to 80 cm in height, although it is usually smaller. It has greyish-green leaves and flowers with irregularly serrated edges in various colors, including, among others, pink, red, white, and yellow. The flowers are usually very fragrant and are therefore often used in perfumes.

Cultivation and maintenance care

Carnations can be grown in the garden or in pots, and are also cultivated in plantations to supply the cut flower market, being one of the most popular flowers in the world, although they require a mild climate for cultivation. For gardening enthusiasts, to cultivate these symbolic flowers you will need clay-rich soil, mixed with a little manure, plant fertilizer, and sand.

Learn how to cultivate

By seeds: There are various types of carnations suitable for planting by seeds and others that are propagated by cuttings. Because it is much more practical and simple, seeds are the most common propagation method. The seeds should not be planted deeper than 0.5 cm in the soil. In mild temperatures, the seeds germinate in one to three weeks.

By cuttings: Use soft branches from healthy plants, preferably cut after flowering, as flowering branches are longer. Plant each branch in moist soil, burying at least one node of the branch.

At Horto do Campo Grande, you can find potted dianthus to care for and later propagate!

By air layering: Bend some of the longer branches, burying their base in the soil (secure the branch with a small rock to keep it buried). Cut any flower that is on these branches. After a few weeks, check if the base of the branch has rooted and then separate the branch with its new roots from the plant.

By division: Older plants usually have several already rooted branches. These plants can be divided and replanted.

Growing conditions:

• Lighting: Direct sunlight for at least 4 or 5 hours daily.
• Irrigation: The soil should always remain slightly moist, but never waterlogged. Excess moisture in the soil or air harms the carnation plant.
• Soil: The ideal is a well-drained, light, fertile soil, rich in organic matter, with a pH between 6.6 and 7.5, but it tolerates a pH between 6 and 8.
• Flowering season: Under suitable conditions, carnations can flower all year round. In temperate climate regions, they usually flower in late spring, summer, and early autumn.
  
  

The colors of Carnations

Each carnation color is associated with a special meaning. The red carnation honors mothers and the white one honors those who have passed away. The different colors of carnations can have different meanings; get to know them:

• White carnations: associated with the purity, love, and innocence of a mother.
• Red carnations: signify respect, love, and passion. They are given as a demonstration of admiration.
• Fuchsia pink carnations: Bring memories of gratitude and happiness. When given to someone, it means you are thankful and feel happy by their side.
• Yellow carnations: although they mean rejection and disdain, when integrated into an arrangement of many bright colors, they signify joy and liveliness.

This flower, cultivated since ancient times, has great symbolic and historical value. In Portugal, the red carnation is the symbol of the Carnation Revolution of April 25, 1974.
Celebrate the History of Portugal and freedom by decorating the vases in your home with red carnations, or for the more innovative, white, yellow, or fuchsia pink ones, which you can find in the physical and online stores of Horto do Campo Grande.

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