Carnations

For someone coming from the Soviet Union and then Latvia, where the only carnations were either red or white, it has taken me quite a prolonged time to be in alignment with carnations. Nothing has helped me more than frequent visits to flower shops displaying carnations in the most divine colours and scents.

Carnations (Dianthus caryophyllus), cherished for their ruffled petals and sweet fragrance, have quite a rich history, starting around 2000 years ago in ancient Greek and Roman times. Their role was to be beautiful and loved by the gods, as the name Dianthus is derived from the Greek words "dios" (god) and "anthos" (flower), meaning "flower of the gods." As it turns out, a shocking revelation to a girl whose father grew and sold deep dark red carnations—making them an object of hate—historically, carnations were pale pink and peach, a colour I love so much these days.

Edibility

Not known to many, carnation petals have been used in culinary applications for centuries, often added to salads, appetisers, and many times on cakes, and even frozen in ice cubes. But, as with ANY EDIBLE FLOWER, it is crucial that they are free from pesticides and chemicals—a luxury that is hard to find these days.

Keeping in a Vase

Preparation. When bringing them home, cut 1 cm off the stem straight away and put them in a vase to hydrate. This is very important. Then, cut the stems at a 45-degree angle to enhance water absorption. Remove any small leaves that would be submerged in the water.

Vase. Use a clean vase.

Water. Use room-temperature water mixed with the provided flower food to nourish the blooms, or simply use room-temperature water without any nourishing additives. Change the water every 2–3 days, trimming the stems at a 45-degree angle each time.

Best place. Carnations prefer room temperature but should be kept away from direct sunlight and drafts.

Treated nicely, they can last in a vase between 7 to 14 days.

Seasonality

The peak season in France is late spring and summer, but since France is vast and varies greatly in climate, this can differ from region to region.