This Valentine's Day Say "I Love You" with Red and White Carnations

It seems that unemployment is not the only thing that is high these days, gas, food and even flowers have gone up in price. Valentine's Day is fast approaching and you might be wondering if you will have the cash to purchase your sweetheart the traditional bouquet of red roses. Stop the agonizing and say, "I love you" with a dozen red and white carnations. A vase filled with a bouquet of red and white carnations are more meaningful when it comes to saying, "I love you" than any other flower.

Origin and History of the Carnation

Although carnations were first discovered in the Far East, their history is more notable in the ancient Greek and Roman times, where they were used in art and decor. Romans referred to the carnation as Jove's flower, after their esteemed god, Jove. Some Christians believe carnations first appeared when they sprang from the tears that Mary wept while Jesus carried the cross. Its scientific name is Dianthus caryophyllus and the carnation is considered one of the oldest cultivated flowers in the world. Some sources translate the word Dianthus to mean "flower of love" or "flower of the gods." The origin of the word carnation has been debated for centuries. In Italian, the word means complexion and in Greek, it means flesh, both referring to the original color of the flower, which was a flesh color.

The predominant color of carnations may have started out as pale pink or peach (flesh color), thus the Italian and Greek origins of the name. However, over the centuries, these basic colors have evolved into beautiful shades of yellow, white, purple, red and some green.

The carnation is used widely throughout the world. It is the national symbol of Slovenia, called the "flowers of the dead" in Mexico, is used to predict ones future in Korea; and pink carnations are used in Flemish weddings because they symbolize love.

Carnations for Valentine's Day

There are many reasons to give a bouquet of carnations for Valentine's Day, one being their longevity. With the right care, carnations can last up to 21 days, thus giving your loved one many days of beauty and fragrant aroma. Red and white carnations are an excellent choice to convey ones feelings of love on Valentine's Day because the deep red carnation signifies a deep love and affection, while the white carnation stands for a pure love. They cost much less than a dozen red roses and are just as, if not prettier than roses.

Sources: Personal Experience, Burpee, Teleflora