Carnation - A guide to January’s birth flower

January 24, 12:01 PMSeattle Garden & Kitchen ExaminerJerry & Kristy

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The beautiful, easy to grow, Carnation and January's birth flower

If your birthday falls in the month of January, then your flower is the carnation. It’s true; every month has its own flower. This is always nice to know if you are giving a January birthday flowers or planting a memory garden representing your family and friends.

Botanical Name:
Dianthus Caryophyllus

Common Name:
Carnation

Description:
A multi-petaled single flower with a long stem which has a bloom size of 18 to 24 inches in height. They work well in a mixed bouquet (or alone) and will outlast most other flowers when their water is changed every other day.

Colors:,
 Carnations are available in nearly every color but are most often sold in white, pink, red, purple, yellow, and green colors in solid, bi-color, striped and frosted varieties.

Availability:
 All year round

Growing Tips:
Carnations are easy to grow in both beds and containers. They can be grown from seeds or from plants picked up at your nursery. Carnations are relatively free from disease and pests and like full sun.

Fun and/or Interesting Facts:
The Carnation was originally pink and one myth states it appeared where the Virgin  Mary shed her first tear upon seeing Jesus carrying the cross. This myth has led to pink carnations representing a Mother's undying love.

In 1907, Ann Jarvis selected the carnation as the symbol for Mother’s Day.

Read our Flower of the month  articles: a 12 month guide to birth flowers

• January - Carnation

• February - Violet

• March - Daffodil

• April – Daisy

• May –Lilly of the Valley