The carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus) is one of the world’s oldest cultivated flowers, tracing back to ancient Greek and Roman times. Its scientific name translates to “flower of the gods,” reflecting its enduring popularity. Prized for its ruffled petals, wide color palette, and long vase life, the carnation is a favorite for daily bouquets and significant events like Mother’s Day. The best source for this versatile bloom depends on whether you need a quick arrangement, a bulk order, or a plant for your garden.
Retail Venues for Immediate Bouquets
For a single bouquet of cut carnations intended for immediate use, consumers typically choose between local florists, major grocery stores, and online delivery services. Traditional, independent florists generally offer the highest quality and freshest stems. They often store flowers in refrigerated coolers to maximize longevity, and their expertise allows for customization. This typically results in a vase life of up to two or three weeks.
Grocery store floral departments provide convenience and a lower initial price point, making them popular for impulse purchases. However, these flowers are often older and may not have been stored optimally, which can shorten their lifespan. Online flower delivery companies often source carnations directly from farms, bypassing intermediate wholesalers. This farm-direct sourcing can provide a longer vase life due to a faster journey from the grower to the recipient.
Sourcing Carnations for Large Events
For events like weddings or corporate functions requiring high volumes of flowers, a different purchasing path ensures consistency and cost-effectiveness. The most efficient option is a dedicated wholesale flower supplier or a specialized bulk online vendor. These sources sell carnations by the bunch or box, often with minimum order quantities starting at 50 stems or more.
Purchasing in bulk allows access to a greater variety of colors, including specialized hues not available in standard retail settings. These transactions typically require pre-ordering, sometimes one to two weeks in advance, so the supplier can procure the specific quantity and color directly from the farm. While some wholesale markets require a business license, many online bulk retailers now offer farm-direct flowers to the public, providing cost savings for large-scale DIY projects.
Purchasing Carnations for Planting
Acquiring carnations for a garden involves purchasing seeds or established plants rather than cut stems. For immediate color and established growth, garden centers and local nurseries are the primary venues for buying plants or seedlings. These locations offer varieties suited to the local climate and provide expert advice on planting and care.
Types of Carnations
Carnations are broadly categorized into perpetual flowering carnations, which are taller and bloom almost continuously, and border carnations, which are shorter and suited to garden beds. Specialty mail-order catalogs and online nurseries are sources for unique or heirloom perennial varieties not stocked locally. Seeds for both annual and perennial types are widely available from online seed retailers, providing an economical option for mass planting.
How to Select the Best Quality and Value
Assessing the physical characteristics of carnations ensures freshness and long-lasting value, regardless of the venue. When selecting cut stems, prioritize blooms that are only partially open, where the outer petals are just beginning to unfold but the center remains tight. This stage, often called the “proper stage,” indicates the flower has the greatest potential for opening and a long vase life.
Stems should feel firm and rigid, with no signs of sliminess, discoloration, or softening at the base. The foliage must appear healthy and green, without yellowing or brown spots that signal age or poor care. For plants, look for compact growth with healthy, bluish-green leaves and a lack of pests like aphids or spider mites. Value is determined by the cost per stem relative to the projected vase life; a slightly higher initial price for a fresher stem often results in a lower overall cost per day of enjoyment.