Here comes the bride…and she’s probably carrying some fresh carnation cuts, too! Prized for their frilly, ruffled, and all-around feminine disposition, carnations still top the list as one the most utilized cut flowers worldwide. Whether it’s time to say “I do,” “congratulations,” or “Happy Birthday,” you just can’t go wrong with carnations. Here at The Dees’ we love these elegant blooms and dazzle our customers on Long Island year-round with our floral arrangements featuring these mighty bloomers. If you’re wondering what all the hype is around this pretty and perfect plant as a cut flower, we’ll tell you!

Why Carnations are Cool

The carnation is a robust and fragrant herbaceous perennial that has been celebrated throughout history and appeared in many cultures. They are also members of the dianthus family and were touted by ancient Greek botanists 2000 years ago. Both the Greeks and Romans called carnations ‘flowers of the gods’ and used them in ceremonial crowns, while in China, carnations are the most used flowers in wedding ceremonies. Being such a popular flower, it also holds the “national flower” title in Monaco, Spain, and Slovenia, as well as the state of Ohio, and has a long history in the daunting realm of flower language. 

Types of Carnations

As a florist, we love working with the beautiful color varieties and types of blooms we get with this cut flower. The types of carnations we use in our floral department include:

• Large-flowered carnations: used most commonly by florists as a cut flower for their singular, large bloom.
• Spray carnations: which display several smaller carnation blooms per stem. Used most often in bridal bouquets or wrist pieces like corsages. 
• Dwarf carnations: these are the smallest carnation blooms. Used most commonly for weddings or other formal attire. 

Another reason for their popularity is their color variety, ranging from whites, pinks, greens, and yellows to mighty reds and purples. This makes it easy to incorporate a carnation into just about any floral arrangement!

How Do You Keep Freshly-Cut Carnations Fresh?

Usually one of the last flowers standing in a bouquet, fresh-cut carnation flowers will last between 7-14 days with proper care. Here are some pro tips for keeping the magic going and enjoying your carnations as long as possible.

• Make sure you put cut carnations right into water after cutting from the garden. If you’re arranging them, give them a fresh, 45-degree angled cut at the base of the stem to desired length before submerging into their vase.
• Submerge fresh-cut carnations in room-temperature water. Remove any leaves that would sit below the water line—they will rot!
• Add some flower food or a tiny bit of sugar to extend life. Keeping floral arrangements in a refrigerator overnight will help keep blooms fresh and vibrant longer, too.
• Check water regularly, rinsing stems and changing any water that looks cloudy. 

Carnation Fresh Cuts in Oceanside 

Mother’s Day is one of the busiest times for us in The Dees’ Floral Shop, and because the carnation is the official flower for Mother’s Day in the U.S., this year was no exception! Our custom floral arrangements are made to pamper the Long Island community all year round, so if you missed the boat on flowers for Mom this year, be sure to check in every week to see what we’re arranging for the next special occasion!

Summer is also the wedding season, and many folks take advantage of the long, hot days and warm nights to gather all of their friends and family in celebrations of love. If this is you, or someone you know, come by the floral shop to get inspired by our unique floral design using fresh-cut carnations. You might also want a flower arrangement for an anniversary, family reunion, or upcoming graduation ceremony! All of these occasions are just begging for carnations—and we can definitely help with that. 

Looking for some inspiration? Some of our fave flowers to pair up with carnations include:

• Roses
• Baby’s breath
• Chrysanthemums
• Daisies
• Lilies
• Hydrangeas

We know we’ve given you enough push to make fresh carnation cuts your next best floral friend, so come on by The Dees’ to see what show-stopping ideas we have for making this historical bloom a part of your most cherished moments!