(828) 526-0173 | [email protected] | Copyright 2024 – All Rights Reserved.
Flower of love
Written By: Jeannie Chambers - The Accidental Gardener | Issue: 2019/01 - Winter
W
hen most people think of a flower of love, a rose is the first to come to mind, but the Dianthus caryophyllus has got to be a close second. One record states the name comes from the Greek word dios meaning “divine” and Anthos meaning flower. Heavenly flower, or the flower of Jove. In Greek mythology, Jove (aka Jupiter) is the god of the sky and thunder. Another source states the name comes from the Latin word carnis, meaning “flesh.” Its common name is Carnation, but that’s about the only thing common about this unpretentious flower.
The exact origin of the Carnation isn’t known, because it’s been extensively cultivated for over 2,000 years, but rumor has it the first carnations appeared where the tears of the Virgin Mary fell to the ground.
Quite possibly the only thing not lost in the translation of this sturdy, long-lasting flower is the meaning of the different cultivated colors. Love. All kinds of love. White Carnations for sweet, innocent, and pure love. Deep red Carnations for passionate, romantic love. Pink Carnations for a motherly type of love. Yellow Carnations stand for rejected love. When Mary Jarvis founded the first Mother’s Day in 1908, a white Carnation was used to symbolize the undying love of her mother, although through the years, the color of Carnations worn on Mother’s Day has changed. One wears a white Carnation to honor their deceased mother, and red if their mother is still alive.
You can grow Dianthus in your spring garden. They’ll need about four to six hours of sunlight and well-drained soil that’s not too fertile. Wet feet will make the leaves turn yellow and could kill the plant. Whether you plant your own, or buy them from the florist, remember the love associated with the Carnation. Love is in the air, and this spicy, clove-scented flower may just fit the bill.
