Why Carnations Are Kevin Sharkey’s Favorite Flower—Plus 4 Elegant Ways to Arrange Them

I fell in love with carnations as a small child growing up in Boston when green carnation boutonnières were worn on St. Patrick’s Day. I still remember the fragrance, with the cinnamon and powdery notes of the blooms, and it’s one of the reasons why carnations remain my favorite flower—which often surprises people! Carnations can be polarizing.

Why Carnations?

Beyond that classic fragrance, there are so many other reasons to love carnations. From the wide array of varieties in a rainbow of colors to their availability, there is a reason they became so ubiquitous. While that ubiquity has made them less coveted in the modern era, throughout much of their history, they have been quite celebrated.

A Sweet History

Carnations are one of the earliest cultivated flowers and have been admired since at least Greek and Roman times. In late medieval art, carnations were represented in paintings and tapestries. Shakespeare called carnations “the fairest flowers o’th' season.” Meanwhile, the Victorians were crazy about the frilly pink blooms and exhibited them competitively! 

Variations

We are all familiar with the classic carnations that you can buy anywhere flowers are sold, but there are a host of other varieties to admire. There are some that look like camellias and others that look like chrysanthemums. They come in a wide range of sizes, and the petals have different configurations ranging from gentle curls to exuberant fringe. There are hundreds of different types of carnations, many so distinct that people don’t even recognize them as carnations.

A Color for Every Palette

The natural range of colors is spectacular—from white and pinkish purples to shades of yellow, orange, red, and green. And they take to dye very well, so the color range is nearly endless.

A Flower for All

Carnations are affordable. They are readily available—whether you shop at a corner deli or a mega supermarket, if they sell flowers, they will have carnations. And they are easy to work with; they provide a great entry-level experience for anyone arranging flowers at home. 

Carnations 4 Ways

The classic accouterments for a carnation arrangement are fern and gypsophila (baby’s breath), but to elevate the carnation, we want to turn the focus on the flower itself. Whether you want just a few subtle pops of color or a grand statement, carnations are incredibly versatile. Here are some of my favorite ways to use them.

Carnation Dome

A dome of carnations delivers a dramatic display that is both fun and simple in its elegance. For a lower profile, this can be done in a bowl with a flower frog. For an arrangement with more height, you can use a vase. For an extravagant statement, go big! I have done domes with 12 dozen carnations—but smaller displays are beautiful, too.

Down the Table

For a play on the traditional centerpiece, create an array of single stems in small vases or even shot glasses and stagger them down the center of the table or arrange them on a side table. It really gives guests the opportunity to appreciate how pretty they are. This is a great opportunity to play with scale, too, using a range of sizes, from petite blooms to some of the giant varieties.

Classic Cylinder

Carnations typically grow on long, sturdy stems with minimal foliage, making them an ideal candidate to display in cylinder vases. Cylinders with a smaller diameter can hold one or a few; larger vessels can house a cluster—but resist adding other flowers or greenery, let the carnations shine. 

Love Heart

For Valentine’s Day—or any other celebration where love takes center stage—a carnation heart is perfect. They are easy to craft, giftable, work as décor, and are as fun to make as they are charming. All you need is floral foam in a heart-shaped brick (or open wreath) and carnations.

To create:

• Soak the floral form until it’s fully saturated and dark green.
• Cut the flowers off of their stems, leaving a few inches of stem intact, depending on the depth of the floral foam.
• Start in the middle of the form and insert flowers, working your way out.
• Avoid placing flowers in straight lines, and do not leave any gaps.
• Water every three or four days.

Carnation Tips

What to Shop For

Look for carnations that have opened up. If you can only find ones that are still tightly formed, you can open them up by gently squeezing around the flower's green base to loosen the bud and gently massage the petals open. 

Know what kind of arrangement you want to make and keep that in mind when you’re shopping. If there are more than a few varieties, look at the petals and select ones with interesting edges, since that’s where much of a carnation’s beauty lies. Keep scale in mind. And buy more than you think you will need—carnation arrangements often end up needing more flowers than you expect.

Consider Color

There are so many incredible shades to choose from. I love white carnations with red-tipped petals, and there is a pistachio color that is very pretty. While monochromatic arrangements are always chic, with carnations, there is a great opportunity to play with color palettes.

Making Them Last

Carnations are naturally long-lived, but there are a few simple things you can do to boost that longevity. 

• When trimming the stems, cut them at a 45-degree angle and above the nodule.
• Trim the leaves so that there are none below the vase’s waterline.
• Change the water every two days, and trim the stems each time.
• Keep arrangements away from heat sources and direct sunlight.

The next time you pass carnations at your market, take a fresh look. They may seem like everyday flowers, but that which makes them so popular is exactly what makes them so deserving of celebration!