Carnations

A carnation bouquet is a long-lasting way to send love to Mom, cheer to new parents or comfort to a grieving family. Choose ruffled carnations mixed with roses and daisies or massed into sympathy hearts, each arranged by hand by a local florist near the recipient.

Carnations often outlast softer flowers by several days. The guide below explains why florists rely on them and how to choose between everyday and sympathy carnation arrangements.

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A guide to carnation bouquets

Why florists rely on carnations

Carnations are among the hardest-working cut flowers. Their ruffled petals hold shape well after many other blooms have faded, some varieties carry a light, spicy scent like cloves, and mini carnations add small clusters of color between larger flowers. That staying power is why 37 of the 42 designs here name them, usually alongside roses, lilies or daisies. Summer Dunes mixes carnations with peach roses, dahlias and delphinium in soft beach colors, and Halloween Delight Bouquet sets purple carnations beside orange roses in a cauldron-shaped bowl.

Carnation arrangements for sympathy

About half of this collection is made for funerals and memorials. Carnations pack tightly into a firm, even surface, so they often form the base of hearts and wreaths that must keep their shape through a long visitation. Love's Garden Deluxe Solid Heart Set Piece is a solid bed of pink carnations with lilies and roses tucked in, and the Signature Collection Broken Heart Set Piece lets red roses give way to white carnations around an open half. For the loss of a baby, the Open Heart Wreath - Infant holds a soft angel bear among carnations and poms. See all funeral hearts for more shapes.

Carnations for everyday gifts

Carnations are a traditional Mother's Day flower, so a mixed bouquet is a natural choice for her; our Mother's Day flowers include several carnation designs. To welcome a baby, Samantha fills a contemporary cube with carnations, roses and lavender daisies in a palette that suits a boy or a girl, and more ideas are in new baby flowers and gifts. Boho Bolds wraps hot pink carnations, roses and sunflowers in craft paper for a coworker's last day, and Tie a Yellow Ribbon pairs red roses with white daisies and blue carnations to thank a veteran.

Carnation questions

What do carnations symbolize?

Carnations are broadly linked with love, admiration and devotion, and color shifts the message. Light pink often stands for gratitude and a mother's love, red for deep affection, and white for pure love and remembrance. Yellow once hinted at disappointment, but most people now send it simply as a cheerful color.

How long do carnations last in a vase?

Often two weeks, and sometimes close to three, which makes them one of the longest-lasting cut flowers. Recut the stems every few days and keep the water clean. In a mixed carnation bouquet, softer flowers such as lilies or daisies usually fade first.

What flowers pair well with carnations?

Roses are the most common partner here, named in about three quarters of these designs, followed by daisies, lilies and chrysanthemums. Blue delphinium adds cool contrast in sympathy pieces, while sunflowers or alstroemeria warm up an everyday arrangement.

Why are carnations linked with Mother's Day?

Anna Jarvis, who campaigned for the first Mother's Day in the early 1900s, is credited with providing white carnations, her mother's favorite flower, for an early service. Over time, pink and red came to honor a living mother and white a mother who has passed.

Can carnation delivery go straight to a funeral home?

Yes. Enter the funeral home's full address, add the name of the person being remembered, and pick a delivery date before the service. Most deliveries arrive by 8:00 PM local time and an exact hour can't be promised, so for a morning service, the day before is the safer choice.