Bountiful Gardens

The Floral Icon: Timeless Elegance with Carnations (Dianthus caryophyllus)

The Snapshot

• Common Name: Carnation, Clove Pink, Grenadine Carnation

• Scientific Name: Dianthus caryophyllus

• Origin: Mediterranean region

• Hardiness: Zones 5 – 9 (Varies by cultivar)

• The "Vibe": Classic, romantic, and structural; the heavy hitter of the fragrant garden.

Why We Love It

Carnations are the "formal" version of the Dianthus genus. While Pinks are low and mounding, Carnations stand tall on sturdy, blue-green stems. They are prized for their large, double-petaled blooms that look like they’ve been sculpted from crinkled silk. The fragrance is their calling card—a deep, spicy, clove-and-honey scent that can fill a room from just a single stem in a vase.

Ecosystem & Wildlife Impact

• Nectar for Butterflies: The deep, double blooms are particularly attractive to larger butterflies with long proboscises, such as Swallowtails.

• Bee Support: Though the double flowers make it harder for some bees to reach the center, single-flowered varieties are favorites for native bumblebees.

• Petal Edible: Traditionally, carnation petals are edible (when grown organically!) and have been used for centuries to flavor salads, desserts, and even liqueurs.

Designer Tips: Where to Plant

• The Cutting Garden Anchor: This is a non-negotiable for anyone who wants to grow their own bouquets. Plant them in rows for easy harvesting.

• Front-of-Border Structural: Their stiff, blue-green foliage provides a clean "architectural" look that contrasts well with softer, floppier plants like Coreopsis.

• Patio Containers: Plant them in terra cotta pots near your seating area so you can catch the spicy scent on a summer evening.

Designer Pro-Tip: To get those huge, florist-style blooms, try "disbudding." Remove the smaller side buds from a stem, leaving only the large central bud. The plant will channel all its energy into that one flower, resulting in a massive, show-stopping blossom.

Stories from the Garden

"I grew a row of 'Chabaud' Carnations last year and I was shocked at how much better they smelled than the ones in the store. One stem on my kitchen table made the whole house smell like Christmas spices. They are so much tougher than people give them credit for!"

— Julian P., Zone 6 Gardener

A Growing Story: The Mother’s Day Tradition

One of our customers plants a new color of Carnation every year in memory of her mother. She says that by mid-June, her garden is a "patchwork quilt" of memories. It’s a plant that carries a lot of emotional weight, making it more than just a flower—it’s a living tradition.