Posted by: scentandviolet June 18th, 2025

Beautiful carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus) takes its name from the Greek words dios (divine) and anthos (flower)—and divine it is. With its frilled petals, clove-like scent, and surprising resilience, the carnation has long held a place of honor in European and Asian floral design.

So why is it so often dismissed in the United States?

The '80s Did Carnations Dirty

We have a theory—and it starts in the 1980s.

That was the era when grocery store flower stands and mass-market chains began appearing across the U.S. With little to no investment in floral training, these shops gravitated toward flowers that were cheap to buy and easy to stock. The carnation, which ships well and lasts long, became their go-to.

Unfortunately, without proper design technique, what should have looked elegant ended up looking… disposable. The word “cheap” stuck, unfairly. And carnations never quite recovered their reputation.

But in Europe? Carnations Never Left the Spotlight

Photo: Floral design by Laurence Hanauer of Fleurs Flora, Strasbourg, France

Across Europe and Asia, florists never stopped loving carnations. Designers continued to innovate—cultivating new varieties with stunning textures, tones, and movements. From antique blush and mocha to rich burgundies and lavender greys, carnations now come in shades most people don’t even realize exist.

The carnation is not a "filler flower."
It’s a statement flower—in the hands of someone who knows what they’re doing.

Carnation - A History as Rich as Its Ruffles

Carnations have always carried deep symbolism:

The scarlet carnation is the state flower of Ohio, in honor of President William McKinley.
 In Portugal, red carnations became the emblem of the peaceful 1974 Carnation Revolution.
In the Netherlands, white carnations are worn in memory of resistance fighters and WWII veterans.
Pink carnations, according to legend, bloomed where the Virgin Mary’s tears fell—symbolizing a mother’s eternal love. 
In France, carnations are a traditional funeral flower—an elegant expression of mourning.

Carnation - A Flower That Speaks Many Languages

The carnation’s color palette comes with a dictionary of meanings:

Dark red = Deep love
Light red = Admiration
Pink = Gratitude
White = Pure love and good luck
Yellow = Disappointment or farewell
Striped = Regret
Purple = Capriciousness

It’s nuanced. Complex. Emotionally fluent.
A flower that doesn’t scream—just speaks beautifully.

Carnations - A Quiet Comeback

We’re seeing a slow but steady return of the carnation, thanks in part to younger designers who aren’t afraid to challenge the industry’s old prejudices. And we love it. Here at Scent & Violet, we champion the carnation—not for nostalgia’s sake, but because it truly deserves the spotlight.

Want to fall back in love with carnations?

Ask us to include them in your next bouquet. Whether you're sending birthday wishes in Bellaire or celebrating love in Sugar Land, we’ll create something quietly stunning.

With gratitude and petals: 

Special thanks to Jill for the fun carnation facts, Pim Van Den Akker for creating Flower Factor, David Ragg for his vibrant carnation designs, and Laurence Hanauer of Fleurs Flora for finding beauty everywhere and turning it into art. Our love and gratitude goes our to one amazing Texan J. Schwanke, for never giving up on the flower that gives us so much.

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Scent & Violet, flowers and gifts is a full service florist in Houston, TX offering flower, plant and gift delivery in Houston, Katy, Richmond, Fulshear, Sugar Land and Bellaire. We aim to create fuss-free, everyday shopping source for flowers, plants, and gifts. It is our belief that we can create better relationships through gifting, better environments through plants, and better state of mind through flowers.